CompletedNot Applicable

Effectiveness of a Diabetes Self-Management Program Among Ethnic Minority Elderly in Rural Thailand

Thailand108 participantsStarted 2025-11-20

Plain-language summary

Type 2 diabetes is a serious health condition that affects many older adults from ethnic minority communities in Northern Thailand. These populations, often referred to as hill tribes, include groups such as Akha, Lahu, Hmong, and Lisu who live in remote mountainous areas of Chiang Rai Province. Previous research has found that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes among ethnic minority elderly in Thailand is 16.8%, which is higher than the general Thai population. Many of these individuals have difficulty managing their diabetes because of low literacy, limited access to healthcare, language barriers, and poverty. The purpose of this study was to test whether a structured Diabetes Self-Management (DSM) program could help ethnic minority older adults (aged 60 years or older) improve their blood sugar control, increase their ability to manage diabetes on their own, and reduce emotional distress related to diabetes. This study used a cluster randomized controlled trial design. Villages in Chiang Rai Province were randomly assigned to either the DSM intervention group or the usual care group. A total of 108 participants (54 per group) were enrolled. Participants in the intervention group attended a 6-week education program with weekly interactive sessions covering diabetes knowledge, healthy eating, physical activity, medication management, problem solving, risk reduction, and emotional coping. Two home visits were also provided at Weeks 8 and 10. Participants in the usual care group received standard brief discharge education and routine follow-up visits. The main outcome measured was the change in HbA1c (a blood test that shows average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months) from the start of the study to 12 weeks later. Additional outcomes included changes in diabetes self-management behaviors and diabetes-related psychological distress, measured using validated questionnaires.

Who can participate

Age range

60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Ethnic minority elderly aged 60 years or older residing in rural mountainous villages in Chiang Rai Province, Northern Thailand (including Akha, Lahu, Hmong, and Lisu communities) * Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for at least one year * HbA1c level greater than 6.5% * Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 24 or higher * Ability to communicate in Thai language * Willing and able to provide written informed consent or thumbprint with witness signature Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to complete the informed consent process * Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score below 24, indicating possible cognitive impairment * Severe or unstable medical conditions that would preclude participation in a 6-week group education program (e.g., acute hospitalization, severe mobility limitations requiring full-time assistance) * Currently participating in another diabetes education or self-management intervention study

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c)

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and 12 weeks after the start of the intervention

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07669389

SponsorTaipei Medical University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-02-19

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) trials