Background
Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases, and its successful control largely depends on patients' adherence to the treatment plan. Evidence suggests that emotional intelligence can be associated with self-management behaviors and treatment adherence; however, evidence regarding the effectiveness of its training is limited. The present study aimed to determine the effect of emotional intelligence training on treatment adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods
This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients with type 2 diabetes at Imam Ali (AS) Diabetes Subspecialty Clinic in Shahrekord. Participants were randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups. The intervention group received emotional intelligence training and the control group received usual care. Treatment adherence was assessed at three stages (before the intervention, immediately, and three months after the intervention). Data were analyzed with independent t-tests, chi-square, analysis of covariance, and analysis of variance with repeated measures in SPSS 25.
Findings
Before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics and treatment adherence score (P<0.05). The results showed that the mean treatment adherence score in the intervention group increased from 142.38±10.47 to 143.31±27.09 and 151.90±9.28 (P<0.001). In the control group, the treatment adherence score decreased significantly (P<0.001).
Conclusion
Emotional intelligence training improved treatment adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes and can be used as a complementary intervention in educational programs for diabetic patients.