A systematic review on the effectiveness of e-health and self-management of type 2 diabetes among elderly people.

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes is a common lifelong disease among the older population. However, this disease can be managed through various approaches, including e-health interventions and self-management. These e-health and self-management approaches have been extensively used. Still, less attention has been paid to revealing their effectiveness in ensuring health among older people with type 2 diabetes. This research aims to systematically review eligible literature to provide an updated report on the effectiveness of e-health and self-management interventions on type 2 diabetes among older people.

Methods: Studies that researched the effectiveness of digital health and self-management interventions on type 2 diabetes among older people were included. Two databases (EBSCOHost for MedLine and CINAHL) were searched for articles published between January 2013 and March 2023. The narrative synthesis approach was used to analyse the eligible studies. In addition, the CASP appraisal tool and Risk of Bias II checklist were used to report the methodological appraisal and the risk of bias, respectively.

Results: Ten studies were included in the review. Various e-health and self-management approaches were used across all studies. However, all studies provided evidence that e- health and self-management techniques are highly effective and have remarkable outcomes when used alongside pharmacological interventions. Across the reviewed studies, it was established that specific variables such as reduced health costs, improved quality of life and physiological parameters are associated with the adoption of e-health and self-management of type 2 diabetes among older people. However, it was impossible to report the relationship between adherence to these intervention and attainment of the desired outcomes among diabetic patients because none of the included studies reported the link.

Conclusions: The systematic review shows evidence that e-health and self-management techniques help manage type 2 diabetes. However, further research needs to be done to assess the relationship between these interventions on the specific targeted health outcome of each type 2 diabetes patient using them.