Date Presented 03/22/24

OTs should identify which activities promote glycemic control. The aim was to explore associations between glycemic control (HbA1c), health-related quality of life, diabetes self-care activities, and participation in daily activities.

Primary Author and Speaker: Orit Segev-Jacubovski

Additional Authors and Speakers: Mansha Mirza, Deena Rozen

PURPOSE: Diabetes self-management (DSM) activities can support diabetes control and improve Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for persons with Diabetes Mellitus type 2 (T2DM). These activities include taking medications, glucose monitoring, dietary control, physical activity, and regular health check-ups. OT should identify which other activities can promote glycemic control. Therefore, this study’s aim was to explore associations between glycemic control (HbA1c), HRQOL, diabetes self-care activities, and participation in daily activities.

DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional study, with 61 T2DM patients, > 20 yrs, regular diabetes care through Meuhedet Health Services in Israel.

METHOD: Self-report questionnaires were used: Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire for diabetes self-care activities, Adults Subjective Assessment of participation, and SF-12 for HRQOL. HbA1c and blood glucose levels were retrieved from the medical charts. Pearson correlations were conducted for two sub-groups: Adults (21-64), Older adults (>64). Preliminary

RESULTS: Higher engagement in DSM activities significantly correlated with lower HBA1C levels for adults, but not older adults. Among adults, domestic activity, physical activity, and recreation positively correlated with DSM. Work was negatively correlated with DSM. Among older adults, work positively correlated with physical activity. Recreation and physical activity had positive and negative correlations with DSM. Interestingly, some activities were positively correlated with DSM but negatively correlated with HRQOL.

CONCLUSION: Engagement in work, recreation, and physical activity occupations had a mixed correlation with DSM activities. Participation in recreation and work occupations can boost QOL but decrease diabetes self-activities.

IMPACT STATEMENT: OTs can use this information to balance occupational participation with diabetes self-care by embedding self-management strategies within meaningful occupations.

References

Schmitt, A., Gahr, A., Hermanns, N., Kulzer, B., Huber, J., & Haak, T. (2013). The Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ): development and evaluation of an instrument to assess diabetes self-care activities associated with glycaemic control. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 11(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-11-138

Jarus, T.; Barnea, R.N., Waserlauf, L., Burtz, S., Yakoel, I., Gal-On, L., Grinbaum, S. (2005). The development of the Israeli Adults Assessment of Participation. Israel Journal of Occupational Therapy, 15, H93–H111

Jenkinson, C., Layte, R., Jenkinson, D., Lawrence, K., Petersen, S., Paice, C., & Stradling, J. (1997). A shorter form health survey: Can the SF-12 replicate results from the SF-36 in longitudinal studies? Journal of Public Health Medicine, 19, 179–186. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.pubmed.a024606