AI Insight
This randomized controlled trial involving 232 adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes in Malaysia found that culturally adapted, multilingual educational videos significantly improved diabetes knowledge and patient empowerment compared to standard care over six months. The intervention group also showed measurable improvements in HbA1c levels, blood pressure, lipid profiles, body mass index, and waist circumference. The videos covered self-care practices, medication adherence, diet, exercise, and complication prevention, with monthly follow-up reminders.
Why it matters
Web-based educational interventions offer a scalable, cost-effective method to enhance diabetes management in primary care settings, particularly in resource-limited environments. The culturally adapted approach demonstrates that digital health tools can improve both patient knowledge and clinical outcomes when tailored to specific populations.
Understand the Science
by Hui Zhu Thew, Poh Ying Lim, Tatt Quan Tan, Jun Hui Goh, Amelia Qiao Rou Yap, Ja Shen Choy, Chee Han Ng
Objective
This study evaluated the effectiveness of web-based educational video module on diabetes knowledge, empowerment, and clinical outcomes among adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes in a primary care setting.
Methods
A single-centre, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial was conducted at a public primary care clinic in Malaysia. Adults aged 18 years or older with type 2 diabetes for at least six months and poor glycaemic control were randomly assigned to receive either a web-based educational video intervention or standard care. The intervention consisted of culturally adapted, multilingual educational videos covering diabetes self-care, medication use, diet, physical activity, and complication prevention, supported by monthly follow-up reminders. Primary outcomes were diabetes knowledge and empowerment. Secondary outcomes included HbA1C, blood pressure, fasting lipid profile, body mass index, and waist circumference. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, three months, and six months.
Results
A total of 232 participants were randomised into intervention and control groups (n = 116 each), with mean age of 59 years old, slight male predominance (53.0%) and mostly Malay (43.1%), with obesity (51.7%). Following the web-based intervention, participants demonstrated significant improvements in diabetes knowledge (β = 23.74, 95% CI: 20.57–26.91) and empowerment (β = 11.53, 95% CI: 9.98–13.09) compared with those receiving standard care at both three and six months (p < 0.001). Improvements in HbA1C, blood pressure, fasting lipid profile, body mass index, and waist circumference were also observed in the intervention group relative to controls (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
A culturally adapted, web-based educational video module was associated with improvements in diabetes knowledge, empowerment, and cardiometabolic outcomes among adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. These findings support the use of web-based education as a scalable adjunct to standard diabetes care in primary care settings.