Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (Dec 2023)
The effect of Empowerment Program on the Quality of Life Elderly People with Diabetes Type 2: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study
Abstract
Background and purpose: Currently, there is a significant emphasis on utilizing empowering models to improve the health status and quality of life of patients. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of the empowerment program on the quality of life of the elderly with type 2 diabetes. Materials and methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted in 2021 on elderly patients with type 2 diabetes referred to the diabetes clinic of Vali Asr Ghaemshahr Hospital and Mostafavian Diabetes Clinic in Sari. 90 elderly patients participated in this study. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, including the intervention group (45 patients) and the control group (45 patients). The intervention group participated in eight empowerment sessions for 45 minutes, including 6-8 patients in each session. On the other hand, the control group received the conventional treatment. The demographic characteristics questionnaire and quality of life assessment for diabetic patients was completed by both groups before the intervention and two months after the intervention. Results: The mean score of overall quality of life in the intervention group was 29.95±3.94, which significantly increased to 33.86±3.70 after the intervention (P=0.001). In the control group, the average quality of life score before the intervention was 39.00±5.01, which decreased to 37.06±4.87 after the intervention, which was a significant difference (P=0.001). The result of the covariance test showed that the empowerment program had a significant impact on the quality of life of the elderly with diabetes (P=0.001). Conclusion: The empowerment program based on education about diabetes and its complications, healthy lifestyle and self-care in diabetes can be an effective approach to improve the quality of life of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the implementation of such programs can strengthen the sense of independence and control among elderly patients and be a valuable help in the routine treatment of these patients. (Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT20180609040020N2)
