Effects of Empowerment-Based Health Education on Glycemic Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes — a Randomized Trial

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-week empowerment-based health education program in improving glycemic control, diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-management behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Material and methods. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the outpatient clinic of Lishui Central Hospital, China. Fifty patients with T2D were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a 6-week empowerment-based education program plus usual care or standard care alone. Outcomes included glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and scores on the Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT), Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (DMSES), and Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA). All outcomes were assessed at baseline and within 2 weeks after the intervention. Results. Forty-eight participants completed the study (24 in each group). Analyses were adjusted for baseline values, age, sex, education level, diabetes duration, and body mass index (BMI). The intervention group showed significantly lower HbA1c than the control group (adjusted between-group difference: –1.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: –1.1 to –0.9, p < 0.001). Fasting plasma glucose was also significantly lower (adjusted between-group difference: –1.3 mmol/L; 95% CI: –1.4 to –1.2; p < 0.001). The intervention group also had significantly higher DKT (12.0; 95% CI: 10.9 to 13.1; p < 0.001), DMSES (14.7; 95% CI: 13.7 to 15.7; p < 0.001), and SDSCA scores (10.8; 95% CI: 9.8 to 11.7; p < 0.001). Conclusions. A 6-week empowerment-based health education program improved glycemic control, diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-management behaviors in patients with T2D compared with standard care, after adjustment for important baseline and demographic factors.