Development and Evaluation of a Blended Self-Management Program for Metabolic Syndrome in Patients With Rheumatic...

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Digital Health Interventions

Background:

• Rheumatic diseases are linked to metabolic syndrome, increasing cardiovascular mortality.
• Existing self-management programs for rheumatic diseases rarely address metabolic syndrome.
• Metabolic syndrome poses significant health risks for individuals with rheumatic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a blended (telephone and online) self-management program for metabolic syndrome.
• To assess the program's effectiveness in improving metabolic syndrome indices and self-management behaviors.
• To evaluate the impact on quality of life in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Main Methods:

• A four-stage development process: analysis, website design, development, and validity testing.
• Quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent control group (n=54).
• Intervention: 4 weeks telephone + 20 weeks online self-management, measuring metabolic syndrome indices, self-management, and quality of life.

Main Results:

• The blended program significantly improved overall metabolic syndrome indices, self-management behaviors, and quality of life.
• Key improvements included reduced body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and blood glucose.
• Enhanced self-management behaviors related to metabolic syndrome were observed.

Conclusions:

• The developed blended program is effective in managing metabolic syndrome in rheumatic disease patients.
• It shows potential to retard or prevent metabolic syndrome progression through improved indices and self-management.
• The web-based format offers a cost-effective, accessible, and potentially long-term supportive solution for public health.