Efficacy of a health education technology program in improving adherence to self-management behaviors and quality of life among adults with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aim: This study examined the efficacy of a health education technology program on self-management adherence behavior and quality of life among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: A randomized experimental study design was employed. A total of 110 subjects was recruited. The experimental group received a novel technology education program plus routine shared care. The control group received routine shared care alone. Quality of life and adherence to self-management behavior questionnaires were used to measure outcomes. A linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze changes in quality of life after controlling for pre-test effects. The odds ratio was calculated for differences in adherence behavior between the two groups.

Results: The between-group mean difference in quality of life scores and adherence to physical activity comparing pre-test at 3 months follow-up showed significant progress at 3 months post-test compared with the control group. However, the increase in mean quality of life scores and adherence behavior at 6 months did not demonstrate a sustained between-group difference.

Conclusion: The results showed adherence to physical activity and improved quality of life in patients with T2D at 3 months post intervention. Therefore, the program can be used as an intensive model for diabetes shared care.

Keywords: Adherence behavior; Health technologies for education; Quality of life; Self-management; Shared care; Type 2 diabetes.