Mediating the effect of self-care management intervention in type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis of 47 randomised controlled trials

Objective

To perform a meta-analysis assessing the effects of self-care management interventions in improving glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes by analysing the impact of different study characteristics on the effect size.

Methods

A literature search in eight scientific databases up to November 2007 included original studies of randomised controlled trials involving adult patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and evaluating a self-care management intervention.

Results

The 47 included studies yielded 7677 participants. The analysis showed a 0.36% (95% CI 0.21–0.51) improvement in glycaemic control in people who received self-care management treatment. In the univariate meta-regression sample size (effect size 0.42%, p = 0.007) and follow-up period (effect size 0.49%, p = 0.017) were identified to have significant effect on the effect size in favour of small studies and short follow-up. For type of intervention and duration of intervention there was a non-significant effect on effect size in favour of educational techniques and short interventions.

Conclusion

In type 2 diabetes, there are improvements in glycaemic control in people who receive self-care management treatment with a small advantage to intervention with an educational approach.

Practice implications

Further research on frequency and duration of intervention may provide useful information to identify the most effective regime.