Abstract:
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of risk factors that raise the risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of the Metabolic Syndrome Self-Management (MSSM) program on lifestyle behaviors and physiological indicators in older adults with Mets. Sixty-six participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either the experimental (n=33) or control (n=33) group. The experimental group received the MSSM program and usual care, while the control group received only usual care. The program duration was 6 weeks, and included 4-phases. Outcome measures including eating behaviors, physical activity and physiological indicators were collected at pre-test, post-test (immediately after the intervention) and follow-up (six weeks after the intervention). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, chi-square tests, and repeated measures MANOVA.
Results revealed that the experimental group had significantly greater improvements in eating behavior, physical activity and physiological indicators including fasting plasma glucose and triglycerides at post-test and follow-up, and had significant improvement in waist circumference only at port-test. However, this program could not significantly improve high-density lipoprotein and blood pressure.
The findings of this study suggest that nurses can use the MSSM program as a guideline to prevent progression of metabolic syndrome in older adults.