A Tailored Intervention for Improving Diabetes Self-care Among Adults With Visual Impairment: A Pilot Study

Abstract

ObjectivesOur aim in this study was to develop and evaluate a tailored intervention for improving diabetes self-care among people with visual impairment (TID-VI) in South Korea. MethodsThe TID-VI program was designed around the barriers, resources, and perceptual factors to promote diabetes self-care in those with visual impairment (VI). A single-arm pilot study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of the intervention. Diabetes self-efficacy, self-care behaviours, depression, health-related quality of life, and clinical outcomes (fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin [A1C], lipids, and blood pressure) were measured before, and up to 2 months after the 12-week intervention. ResultsAll 14 participants completed TID-VI. Diabetes self-efficacy, diabetes self-care behaviours, depression, and health-related quality of life showed improvement from baseline that was sustained at 2 months. Although high- and low-density lipoprotein also improved, there were no differences in blood glucose, A1C, total cholesterol, or blood pressure at 2 months. ConclusionsA theory-driven, tailored intervention specific to the needs of adults with VI can produce substantial improvements in patient-reported quality of life and health status outcomes, although the benefits are yet to be confirmed in a controlled study.