The effect of educational empowerment interventions on IBD patients in worldwide: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a recursive chronic disease with no definitive cure. This study was conducted to explore the effectiveness of interventions that aimed to empower patients to improve the consequences of IBD. 

In a systematic review, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases, from 2000 to May 2021, using "self-care OR empower", "self-efficacy OR self-management", "self-control OR self-confidence OR self-determination", "inflammatory bowel disease OR IBD OR Crohn disease OR ulcerative colitis" as keywords. Two reviewers separately performed the search, screening of the studies. 

In total, 13 papers were finally included in the study. Most of the interventions aimed to increase patients’ awareness of the effects of the disease and how to prevent its recurrence, foster self-management, self-care, and stress management skills. The majority of interventions were made through consultation, lecture, textual educational material, telephone calls, and computer-based communication. The most prevalent positive effects of the interventions were reduced anxiety, fewer problems with the disease, fewer visits to the hospital, and increase the quality of life. 

the educational interventions based on empowerment can be effective in improving the adverse effects of IBD. These interventions can positively affect patients’ clinical and psychological health and can also increase the quality of life. The most prevalent strategies used were self-management skills and anxiety/stress management strategies.