ABSTRACT
Aims: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an incurable chronic disease that can be controlled by self-care management. Health education assisted by technology can improve self-care management. This pilot study aims to: (a) identify the concerns, issues, and challenges faced by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and healthcare providers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic;(b) develop a Self-care Management Health Education e-Learning Program (ScMHEeLP);and (c) pilot whether ScMHEeLP can improve knowledge, self-care management, and glycemic controls of T2DM patients. Method: This pilot study uses a multiphase mixed-methods design. Twenty-three participants were involved in in-depth interviews as the basis for developing ScMHEeLP, and thirty-seven voluntary participants were recruited for the evaluation phase. The ScMHEeLP was piloted for 3 months to test its effectiveness in improving the knowledge, self-care management, and glycemic controls of T2DM patients. Thematic analysis was used to examine the qualitative data, and the Wilcoxon test was used for quantitative data. Results: In the development phase revealed patients' and healthcare providers' concerns, issues, and challenges regarding diabetic care, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on these findings, the ScMHEeLP was developed in the form of web-based. ScMHEeLP consists of seven animatic videos, completed with a feature to evaluate patients' understanding of the disease and treatments. ScMHEeLP was downloadable and accessible anywhere and anytime (online–offline). In the evaluation phase showed a significant difference in the levels of knowledge (Z = −5.306, p = 0.000), levels of self-care activities (Z = −5.139, p = 0.000), and level of fasting blood sugar (Z = −4.282, p = 0.000), before and after the implementation of ScMHEeLP. Conclusions: ScMHEeLP was able to improve knowledge and self-care activities and able to lower fasting blood sugar levels. ScMHEeLP still needs continuous improvement and further testing for better outcome. © 2023 Elsevier España, S.L.U.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There are growing interests in the use of medicinal mushrooms in controlling overweight and obesity. OBJECTIVE(S): The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of Lingzhi on anthropometric indices, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile and blood pressure of overweight individuals METHODS: This randomized double-blind clinical trial was performed on seventy-two overweight individuals (Body Mass Index (BMI)?=?25-29.9?kg/m2) received 3 capsule Ganoderma Lucidum (each capsule containing 220?mg of whole powder and 30?mg of pure aqueous extract) daily or matching placebo for 6 weeks. Anthropometric indices, metabolic tests (fasting blood sugar (FBS) and serum lipid profile) and blood pressure were measured before and after treatment. RESULT(S): Data analyses indicated that body weight and BMI were decreased after 6-week intervention (P?<?0.05). The beneficial effect of supplementation was evident on some anthropometric indices. Changes in LDL-cholesterol were significantly different between two treatment and placebo groups (P?<?0.05). FBS, other components of lipid profile and blood pressure did not significantly change by Lingzi treatment. CONCLUSION(S): Results showed that Ganoderma Lucidum might have some potential benefits on anthropometric indices and mild effects on lipid profile, but and there is no claim for weight lose function. Hence, further long-term studies are recommended. Copyright © 2022 - IOS Press. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: The presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) among COVID-19 patients is associated with increased hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. Evidence has shown that hyperglycemia potentiates SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection and plays a central role in severe COVID-19 and diabetes comorbidity. In this review, we explore the therapeutic potentials of herbal medications and natural products in the management of COVID-19 and DM comorbidity and the challenges associated with the preexisting or concurrent use of these substances. Methods: Research papers that were published from January 2016 to December 2021 were retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases. Papers reporting clinical evidence of antidiabetic activities and any available evidence of the anti-COVID-19 potential of ten selected natural products were retrieved and analyzed for discussion in this review. Results: A total of 548 papers (73 clinical trials on the antidiabetic activities of the selected natural products and 475 research and review articles on their anti-COVID-19 potential) were retrieved from the literature search for further analysis. A total of 517 articles (reviews and less relevant research papers) were excluded. A cumulative sum of thirty-one (31) research papers (20 clinical trials and 10 others) met the criteria and have been discussed in this review. Conclusion: The findings of this review suggest that phenolic compounds are the most promising phytochemicals in the management of COVID-19 and DM comorbidity. Curcumin and propolis have shown substantial evidence against COVID-19 and DM in humans and are thus, considered the best potential therapeutic options.