A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials of Internetbased diabetes self management intervention in patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

With an increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, diabetes self‐management education (DSME) is a critical process through which patients with diabetes obtain knowledge and skills in order to improve their lifestyle behavior and self‐manage their diabetes successfully. The internet provides information and interactive sources to patients with diabetes efficiently and at a minimal cost. Web‐based education has recently been utilized to prevent and manage chronic diseases. The objective of the current study was to systemically review previous reports of published, randomized controlled trials to determine the effect of web‐based diabetes education on glycemic control in individuals with type 2diabetes. A literature search in two scientific databases from January 1990 and October 2012 was conducted based on established criteria for quality and inclusion/exclusion in the study. The seven included studies included 869 patients with type 2 diabetes. The meta‐analysis showed 0.40% improvement (95% CI −0.604 – −0.209) in HbA1c among diabetic people who received diabetes self‐management education through Internet. In addition, the analysis reported an improvement in fasting blood glucose concentration (0.368, 95% CI −0.491 – −0.245) among individuals who had Internet‐based diabetes self‐management education. In conclusion, improvements in glycemic control was observed in patients with type 2 diabetes who had Internet‐based diabetes self‐management education compared with patients with type 2 diabetes who had either diabetes self‐management education through lectures and booklets or no education.