Effect of Leventhal’s Self-Regulatory Model on Illness Perception in Women with Gestational Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

 Illness perception can affect self-care, mental anxiety, and other health outcomes in individuals. Current study aimed to investigate the effect of Leventhal’s Self-Regulatory Model on illness perception in women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM).

A randomized controlled clinical trial was performed in women with GDM admitted to prenatal department of Rasht Alzahra Hospital (March-September 2018). Patients were assigned into two groups of control (n=40) and intervention (n=40) using randomized block design. Demographic characteristics were recorded and Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ) was completed in both groups. Leventhal’s Self-Regulatory Model was applied in intervention group within three sessions. The IPQ was completed in both groups after the intervention and four weeks later.

The scores for illness perception were not found to be significantly different between the two groups before the intervention (P= 0.19). Immediately after the intervention, the mean scores of illness perception were 38.09±6.8 and 43.9±8.6 in intervention and control groups, respectively (P=0.003).One month after that, the mean scores of illness perception in the intervention group (39.3±5.8) were significantly lower than the control group (45.7±6.9) (P<0.001).

Using the Leventhal’s self-regulatory model could improve illness perception of women with gestational diabetes, therefore, it could be applied in these women to avoid further consequences.
 
(Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT20171103037191N2)