Effects of Internet-based Diabetic Education on Plasma Glucose and Serum Lipids in Female Type 2 Diabetic Patients / 여성건강간호학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Internet education on plasma glucose and serum lipids in female type 2 diabetic patients. METHOD: Control and experimental groups were assessed by a pre-test and at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. Fourteen patients were assigned randomly to an intervention group and 15 to a control group. Patients in the intervention group were requested to input their blood glucose levels everyday by cellular phone or wire Internet for 1 year. The goal of the intervention was to keep blood glucose concentrations close to the normal range (glycosylated hemoglobin, HbA1c< 7%). An intervention was applied to the intervention group weekly for 1 year. Optimal recommendations were sent weekly by a short message service from a cellular phone and wire Internet. RESULTS: Patients in the intervention group had a significant mean change in HbA1c, from 7.6% at pre-test to 6.9%, at 3 months and equalized at 6.7% at 12 months. There was no significant time and group differences observed in the serum lipids. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that Internet education would improve and maintain the normal range of HbA1c in female type 2 diabetic patients.