The Effect of Telenursing Using Self-care Education Podcasts on Anxiety and Quality of Life of Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy Undergoing Intravitreal Injection: A Randomized Clinical Trail

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran;

2 Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran;

3 Department of Epidemiology & Biostatics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran;

4 Department of Eye, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

10.30476/ijcbnm.2026.105186.2698

Abstract

Background: Pre-procedural anxiety in patients with intravitreal injections shows a significant negative association with vision-related quality of life. This study determines the effect of telenursing with self-care education podcasts on anxiety and quality of life in patients with diabetes undergoing intravitreal injections.
Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted in 2022 in Mashhad, Iran on 68 patients assigned to two groups. After informed consent were obtained, patients completed a demographic questionnaire, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire. Relevant podcasts were delivered individually via WhatsApp once a week over an 8-week period to the intervention group (n=34), while the control group (n=34) received routine education via pamphlets. Anxiety levels were measured before the commencement of the intervention and each injection; the quality-of-life questionnaire was administered before and after the completion of the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. The statistical tests included the t-test, Chi square, repeated measures ANOVA, ANCOVA, and Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: The intervention group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in both state anxiety (P<0.001) and trait anxiety (P<0.001) over the eight-week study period compared to the control group. Furthermore, the intervention group comparison with the control group showed statistically significant improvement in the total score of quality-of-life (P<0.001).
Conclusion: A telenursing program delivered via self-care podcasts, a feasible task for community nurses, significantly reduced anxiety and improved quality of life in patients with diabetic retinopathy undergoing intravitreal injections.
Trial Registration Number: IRCT20220611055134N1

Keywords

References

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