Effects of a health education technology program on long-term glycemic control and self-management ability of adults with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

Aims: This study aimed to explore the effects of a health technology education program on long-term glycemic control and the self-management ability of adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial with repeated measures design. The experimental group (n = 53) received a novel health technologies education program plus focus groups and routine shared care, the control group (n = 55) received routine shared care. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and self-management ability were the primary and secondary outcomes. Subject self-management ability was evaluated using the Chinese version of Perceived Diabetes Self-Management Scale (PDSMS). A linear mixed-effect model for repeated measures was used to analyze changes in HbA1c level and self-management ability after controlling for pretest effects.

Results: The mean HbA1c levels in the experimental group decreased by 0.692% (7.564 mmol/mol) and 0.671% (7.332 mmol/mol) at 3 and 6 months after the intervention (p < 0.05) while the mean increase in the PDSMS scores at 3 and 6 months after the intervention were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The health technology education program was more effective than routine shared care alone in lowering HbA1c and increasing self-management ability in T2D patients.