The Effect of Self-Care Education on Emotional Intelligence and HbA1c level in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: the role of emotional intelligence (ei) in glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (dm) has not been fully understood. the present study aimed to investigate the effect of self-care education on ei and hemoglobin glycosylated (hba1c) in patients with type 2 diabetes. methods: in this randomized controlled clinical trial, 48 patients with type 2 dm referred to shahid motahari diabetes center in 2015 were divided into an intervention and a control group using block randomization. the study data were collected using bar-on questionnaire and blood testing immediately and two months after the intervention. the educational content was presented to the intervention group through 1-1:30-hour sessions held once a week for 8 continuous weeks. the control group, however, only received the clinic’s routine cares. results: the results showed a significant difference in the mean level of hba1c in the intervention group before and two months after the intervention (p=0.003). however, this difference was not significant in the control group. moreover, the mean of ei was higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (p=0.08). conclusion: self-care education improved the hba1c level and ei among the patients with type 2 dm. therefore, it is recommended that health care providers, specially nurses, should train the diabetic patients for self-care, which can lead to better glycemic control.