The Effect of Problem-oriented Coping Style Training on Treatment Adherence and Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

This research aimed to determine the effect of problem-oriented coping style training on treatment adherence and glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients referring to the Diabetes Clinic of the Imam Khomeini Medical Training Center (RA) in Khomein, Markazi province, Iran.

In this clinical trial study, 78 diabetic patients were selected using the convenience sampling method and then randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received problem-oriented coping style training, and the control group was given the usual training. The patients' blood glucose control indices were measured before and after the intervention. The Diabetes Activities Questionnaire and the Lazarus and Folkman Coping Strategies Questionnaire were used to determine adherence to treatment and problem-oriented coping style training. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 25.

The mean score of adherence to treatment increased significantly in the experimental group and decreased significantly in the control group following the intervention (p=0.003). There was no significant difference in the mean treatment compliance score between the control and experimental groups in the pre-test phase (p=0.0325); however, in the post-test phase, the difference was significant (p<0.0001). The average glycosylated hemoglobin showed a significant decrease in the experimental group in the post-intervention phase (p<0.001), This is while it increased significantly in the post-test phase in the control group (p<0.0001).

Problem-oriented coping style training has an effect on adherence to treatment and the improvement of blood sugar control indices in type 2 diabetes patients; hence, this method can be recommended for training patients.