A tailored intervention for improving diabetes self-care among people with visual impairment: A pilot study.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate a tailored intervention for improving diabetes self-care among people with visual impairment (TID-VI) in South Korea.

METHODS: The TID-VI program was designed around the barriers, resources, and perceptual factors to promote diabetes self-care in those with visual impairment (VI). A single-arm pilot study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of the intervention. Diabetes self-efficacy, self-care behaviors, depression, health-related quality of life, and clinical outcomes (fasting blood glucose, A1C, lipids, and blood pressure) were measured before, and up to 2-months after the 12-week intervention.

RESULTS: All 14 participants completed TID-VI. Diabetes self-efficacy, self-care behaviors, depression, and health-related quality of life showed improvement from baseline that was sustained at 2 months. While HDL and LDL were also improved, there were no differences in blood glucose, A1C, total cholesterol, or blood pressure at 2 months.

CONCLUSION: A theory-driven, tailored intervention specific to the needs of adults with VI can produce substantial improvements in patient-reported quality of life and health status outcomes, though the benefits are yet to be confirmed in a controlled study.