The Effect of an Education Program Based on Illness Perception on the Lifestyle of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: This study aimed to examine the effects of an education program based on illness perceptions on the lifestyle of patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial on 80 patients with metabolic syndrome referred to diabetic clinic affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from August to November 2016. The patients were assigned to two control and intervention groups using a simple randomization method. The intervention group received education based on illness perceptions, using face-to-face and telephone follow up sessions in five weeks. The lifestyle questionnaire, brief illness perception questionnaire and demographic information questionnaire were used for data collection. The patients’ lifestyle was examined before and at the end of the eighth week from the beginning of the intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results: After the intervention, the total lifestyle score in the intervention group significantly increased, as compared to the control group (14.60±6.85 vs 6.15±5.80) (P 0.001). Of all the lifestyle dimensions, only stress management after the intervention showed no significant changes (P 0.001). Conclusion: Education based on illness perceptions affected the lifestyle of patients with metabolic syndrome. Therefore, nurses and healthcare providers can use this program for improving the lifestyle of patients with metabolic syndrome.