Background: Metabolic syndrome is one of the emerging health issues in developing countries. It includes diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and elevated blood cholesterol. This study aimed to compare the effects of two different types of interventions: multi-interventional therapy (MIT) and lifestyle interventions (LIs) on high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, and fasting blood sugar (FBS) among women with metabolic syndrome.

Materials and methods: The study used a quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group design with two experimental groups and one control group. This study was conducted among self-help group women from nine area development societies (ADS) in a selected area in South India from March 1, 2019, to February 28, 2020. Women (aged between 35 and 55 years) with metabolic syndrome were recruited by multistage sampling (N = 220) and randomly assigned into three groups: (a) control, (b) MIT (intervention 1), and (c) LIs (intervention 2). Reflexology foot massage, dietary modification, moderate-intensity exercise, and structured education were given to the MIT group and dietary modification, moderate-intensity exercise, and structured education were given to the LI group for 12 weeks. The control group received routine care. A demographic and clinical data sheet is used to collect the basic information. Biochemical variables (HDL, triglycerides, and FBS) were assessed before and after the intervention. The data obtained from the study were computed using a frequency distribution to describe the demographic characteristics, and a Chi-square (x²) test was conducted to find the homogeneity. Both parametric and nonparametric tests were conducted for the comparison of the effectiveness of different methods of interventions on biochemical parameters of metabolic syndrome.

Results: Women who received MIT and LI had significantly lower values of HDL, triglycerides, and FBS after the treatment from baseline and compared with the control group. The study found a significant improvement in the biochemical parameters in the MIT group as compared to the control group and the LI group (<0.001).

Conclusion: Paired t-test shows significant improvement in HDL, triglycerides, and FBS (P < 0.001) in both the LI and MIT groups. In case of triglycerides, MIT was found to be more effective (P < 0.001). Both MIT and LIs can be considered interventions for reducing triglycerides and FBS and increasing HDL.