Effects of family-centered empowerment program on illness acceptance and self-management of patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

In recent years, diabetes patients have been receiving more attention than ever when it comes to accepting their illness and managing it on their own. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a family-centered empowerment program (FCEP) on illness acceptance and self-management of patients with type 2 diabetes. We conducted a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial with pre- and post-measurements on 60 patients with type 2 diabetes. Randomization was performed via block randomization with Sequential Numbered Opaque Sealed Envelopes. Participants were randomized into (1) FCEP (intervention group) or (2) usual care (control group). Data collection was conducted by using a demographic questionnaire, the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ), and the Diabetes Acceptance Scale (DAS). The assessment of outcome measures occurred at baseline and immediately, and six weeks after the intervention. The results showed that at the baseline, there was no significant difference between intervention and control groups in terms of illness acceptance (Intervention (I): 32.17 ± 10.59 vs. Control (C): 34.53 ± 10.6; p = 0.396). However, immediately after the intervention (I: 41.79 ± 8.94 vs. C: 34.86 ± 10.63; P = 0.008) and 6 weeks after the intervention (I: 47.1 ± 5.72 vs. C: 34.66 ± 10.54; P < 0.001), there was a significant difference between intervention and control groups in terms of illness acceptance. In addition, the results showed that, at the baseline, there was no significant difference between intervention and control groups in terms of self-management (I: 21.72 ± 5.36 vs. C: 22.96 ± 3.65; p = 0.305). However, immediately after the intervention (I: 30.93 ± 2.2 vs. C: 23.63 ± 2.95; P < 0.001) and 6 weeks after the intervention (I: 36.37 ± 2.39 vs. C: 23.26 ± 3.11; P < 0.001), there was a significant difference between intervention and control groups in terms of self-management. The findings of this study demonstrated that the FCEP intervention effectively improves illness acceptance and self-management. Healthcare practitioners, particularly nurses, can enhance the acceptance of illness and self-management in patients with type 2 diabetes through the implementation of the FCEP.Ethical considerations: This study was approved by the Research Committee of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (No: IR.SBMU.PHARMACY.REC.1403.002).Protocol Registration: The study protocol was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (No: IRCT20240624062246N1, 16/07/2024).