Differential effect of diabetes education on self-regulation and life-style behaviors.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of diabetes education on self-regulation and life-style behaviors.


METHODS
Participants in an outpatient diabetes education program completed a protocol measuring several self-care behaviors and glycemic control at entry (n = 165) and 6 (n = 124) and 12 (n = 89) mo after the program.


RESULTS
Improvement was noted at 6 mo for most self-care behaviors and glycemic control. At 12 mo, lower glycosylated hemoglobin levels were maintained (P less than 0.001) without increases in perceived hypoglycemia. Improvement was not maintained for those self-care behaviors that require change in life-style, i.e., diet and exercise. However, self-care behaviors that allow patients to self-regulate their glycemic control--self-monitoring of blood glucose and insulin dose self-adjustment--were improved at 12 mo over preprogram levels (P less than 0.001). Frequency of insulin self-adjustment continued to increase during the period between follow-ups.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that diabetes education is effective in promoting self-regulation behaviors, although it has less effect on traditional regimen behaviors such as diet and exercise.
Rubin
R R
RR
Diabetes Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Peyrot
M
M
Saudek
C D
CD
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000523:psychology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*
D001786:Blood Glucose