Methods: A two-group, pretest–posttest, triple-blind pilot randomized controlled trial. Based on convenience sampling, we recruited the participants with metabolic syndrome from the southern Taiwan. With a randomized block design, the participants were divided into two groups, an experiment and a control group with eight respectively. The experiment group received the Internet Interactive Empowerment-based Self-Management protocol for 2-6 weeks. On the other hand, the control group received the online self-management patient education and general routine care. In this study, the physiological parameters of metabolic syndrome were used to evaluate the difference between the pre-and post-intervention measures. The results of repeated measured were compared to examine the overall effects of the two groups.
Results: Repeated-measures ANOVA showed that the Time × Group interaction was significant difference on weight, body mass index, and waist circumference (p=.010, .020 and .010, respectively). The pretest and posttest mean difference between groups of weight (-1.18 vs. 0.84 kg, p=.017), body mass index (-0.38 vs. 0.28 kg/m2, p=.023), and waist circumference (-1.69 vs. 1.56 cm, p=.017) in the intervention group was significantly lower than in the comparison group after three months of intervention.
Conclusion: The findings showed that the Internet Interactive Empowerment-based Self-Management protocol can facilitate reduction in the weight, body mass index, and waist circumference. The results confirmed that the Internet Interactive Empowerment-based Self-Management protocol assists patients with metabolic syndrome in self-managing their health-related issues. Therefore, it is recommended to be promoted to hospitals, communities, and institutions in the future.