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The role of telenursing in the management of diabetes：A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Yang Sa,
Jiang Qiuhuan,
Li Hongfang
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/phn.12603
Subject(s) - medicine , meta analysis , glycemic , diabetes mellitus , randomized controlled trial , cochrane library , glycated hemoglobin , body mass index , subgroup analysis , medline , diabetes management , type 2 diabetes , physical therapy , endocrinology , political science , law
Background Diabetes is a common chronic disease that requires a long‐term regimen. However, the management of diabetes by telenursing is limited and inconclusive. Objectives To determine the effectiveness of telenursing on control in diabetes. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods We searched electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. Studies comparing telenursing with usual care in diabetes patients were included. Results A total of 17 randomized controlled trials were identified. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) dates were pooled using a random effects meta‐analysis method, followed by subgroup analyses to examine heterogeneity. The meta‐analysis showed that the use of telenursing (vs. usual care) was associated with a significant reduction in HbA1c levels compared to usual care, with a pooled 0.68% (95% CI: 0.33–1.03, p = 0.0001; I 2 = 95%). For the secondary outcome, the SMD of body mass index (BMI) was −0.25% (95% CI: −0.81 to 0.32%, p = 0.39), with no statistically significant change; the fasting blood sugar (FBS) SMD was −0.19% (95% CI: 0.20 to 1.01, p = 0.003), with a statistically significant change; the total cholesterol (TC) SMD was −0.09% (95% CI: −0.03 to 0.21, p = 0.12), with no statistically significant change. Conclusions Telenursing, as a useful tool for patient education and behavioral interventions, can help diabetes patients to improve their glycemic control. However, more studies on up‐to‐date and cost‐effective technologies are needed.