Programmes raised confidence and lowered blood sugar in people with long-term illness
HelpedThe short version
Across 11 studies, the programmes raised confidence to manage health more than the other groups did.
- 11
- studies pooled
- Self-rated
- people rated themselves
The review
Who took part
26 trials of adults aged 18 and over with heart disease, cancer, lung disease or diabetes, published from 2005 to 2017. Average ages were about 47 to 72, and 13 trials were in the United States.
What they did
Each programme offered health coaching, empowerment or self-management support, with the aim of building knowledge, skills and confidence. Programmes ran face to face, by phone or both, for four weeks to two years. The paper doesn't say what the other groups got.
What happened
Compared with the other groups, blood sugar and depression both improved, and people felt more confident about managing their illness. Most trials had weaknesses in how they were run, and the paper calls most effects small.
What the review found
- HelpedMotivation
Across 11 studies, the programmes raised confidence to manage health more than the other groups did.
Pooled analysis of 11 studies · vs people who got no programme · they rated themselves · ⚠ the studies disagreed a lot; whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited
- HelpedMotivation
Across five studies, the programmes raised knowledge and confidence to manage health more than the other groups did.
Pooled analysis of 5 studies · vs people who got no programme · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited
- HelpedOther outcomes
Across 16 studies, the programmes lowered long-term blood sugar more than the other groups did.
Pooled analysis of 16 studies · vs people who got no programme · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited
- HelpedOther outcomes
Across eight studies, the programmes lowered depression more than the other groups did.
Pooled analysis of 8 studies · vs people who got no programme · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited
How solid is this?
- People rated themselves
- Summary claims more than the results show
- Whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited
Source
Effects of Patient Activation Intervention on Chronic Diseases: A Meta-Analysis (2020)
