Effectiveness of a Family-based Diabetes Self-management Educational Intervention for Chinese Adults With Type 2 Diabetes in Wuhan, China

Purpose The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of a family-based self-management educational intervention on self-management in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Wuhan, China. Methods A quasi-experimental design with repeated measures was employed. Chinese patients with T2DM (N = 57) and their family members were assigned to 2 groups. The intervention group (n(1) = 29) received a tailored 7-session educational intervention and the control group (n(2) = 28) received routine care in the community. Data were collected at pre- and postintervention and at the end of the 3-month follow-up. Descriptive analysis and repeated-measures analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. Results Participants with T2DM in the intervention group showed significance in greater reductions in A1C, body mass index, and waist circumference and significant improvements in diabetes knowledge, diabetes self-efficacy, self-care activities, and health-related quality of life compared with those in the control group. Family members in the intervention group had significant improvements in diabetes knowledge and health-related quality of life. Conclusion Study findings demonstrated that a family-based diabetes self-management intervention incorporating self-efficacy theory may help Chinese adults with T2DM in modifying their lifestyle and performing self-care activities to improve A1C management.