A Theory-Based Nursing Intervention to Improve Self-Management Behavior and Health Status in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes and Frailty

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of a nursing intervention based on the integration theory of health behavior change (ITHBC) in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and frailty. Method This cluster randomized controlled trial has a two-group pre-/posttest design. The intervention group received a 12-week nursing intervention based on the ITHBC and routine health education, whereas the control group only received routine health education. Self-management, frailty, quality of life, fasting blood glucose, body mass index (BMI), grip strength, and functional mobility were measured. Results Seventy-one participants (intervention group, n = 35; control group, n = 36) completed the entire study. After the intervention, participants in the intervention group exhibited significant improvements in self-management (all p < 0.001), frailty level ( p = 0.006), quality of life (all p < 0.001), and grip strength ( p < 0.05), and maintained ideal fasting blood glucose levels ( p < 0.05) compared to participants in the control group. However, there were no statistically significant differences in BMI and functional mobility ( p > 0.05). Conclusion The 12-week nursing intervention based on the ITHBC could enhance self-management, reduce frailty, improve quality of life and grip strength, and maintain optimal fasting blood glucose levels in older adults with T2DM. [ Research in Gerontological Nursing, 17 (6), 293–306.]