This research is to evaluate the lasting effects of a community-based self-management intervention for patients with type 2 diabetes at 2-year follow-up in China. Five hundred patients with diabetes were recruited and randomly divided into intervention group and control group. Eight times standardized self-management intervention group activities were conducted. The results of physical examination, biochemical laboratory examination, health behavior, and self-efficacy information were collected before intervention, 3 months after intervention, and 2 years after intervention. The total score for self-efficacy in the intervention group increased from 96.12 ± 17.48 to 112.90 ± 14.58 after intervention and decreased after 2 years (106.98 ± 18.03; F = 6.64, P = .0014). The number of days of self-blood glucose monitoring in the intervention group was increased from 1 day per week to 2 days per week after intervention, and 2 days per week at 2-year follow-up (F = 8.02, P = .0003). The frequency of average number of aerobic exercises in the intervention group increased from 6 days per week to 7 days per week after intervention and was 7 days per week at 2-year follow-up (F = 3.63, P = .0269). Community-based self-management group intervention for patients with diabetes has long-term effects.
Keywords: diabetes mellitus; group activity; long-term effect evaluation; self-management.