Effect of self-control on the ego depletion in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of self-control deficit on ego depletion in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on the basis of ego-depletion theory. Methods Dual-Task Paradigms were used to manipulate self-control depletion.This study employed 2×2 between-study design.T2DM patients were chosen as the study group, and healthy volunteers were selected as normal control group, with 30 cases in each group.They were randomly assigned to depleted group (30 cases) or non-depleted group (30 cases). Depleted group completed classical Stroop task, whereas, non-depleted group completed conformant Stroop task.Finally, the ego-depletion effects were investigated by Simon Task. Results The number of reaction errors in the T2DM group was significantly greater than that in the normal group under the compatible condition ((8.73±6.09) vs (5.10±4.35), F(1, 58)=7.125, P=0.010), and the incompatible condition((10.60±10.10) vs (3.97±3.97), F(1, 58)=10.890, P=0.002). The reaction time in the T2DM group was longer than that in the normal group under the compatible condition ((673.33±83.54)ms vs (663.18±123.27)ms, F(1, 58)=0.139, P=0.711)and the incompatible condition ((691.83±107.75)ms vs (644.07±106.69)ms, F(1, 58)=2.964, P=0.091), however, the differences were not statistically significant.The number of reaction errors in the depleted group was more than that in the non-depleted group under the compatible condition (F(1, 58)=0.821, P=0.369), and the incompatible condition( F(1, 58)=0.231, P=0.632), but the difference was not statistically significant.The reaction time in the depleted group was longer than that in the non-depleted group under the compatible condition(F(1, 58)=1.623, P=0.208), and the incompatible condition (F(1, 58)=0.806, P=0.373), the differences were not statistically significant.The interactions between participants type and experimental conditions were not significant. Conclusion The patients with T2DM are in a state of chronic depletion and self-control will potentially aggravate ego depletion, which leads to decline in self-control ability and difficulties in self-management. Key words: Self-control; Ego depletion; Self-control resources; Type 2 diabetes mellitus