Symptoms Improved in Chronically Ill People Who Used an Online Self-Management Program
Evaluation of the Internet-Based Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
In 2001–05, researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine conducted a randomized, controlled study of the use of an Internet Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. A total of 958 people with heart disease, chronic lung disease or type 2 diabetes participated.
Key Findings
Four health indicators showed statistically significant improvement at one year for study participants who used the Internet program, compared with those who received only usual medical care:
- Shortness of breath (also significantly improved at six months).
- Distress related to the disease.
- Fatigue.
- Pain/physical discomfort.
Four health behaviors showed greater improvement at six months and at one year for users of the Internet program than for participants receiving only usual care:
- Stretching and strengthening exercise (statistically significant at both timepoints).
- Use of cognitive symptom management techniques (statistically significant at six months).
- Use of techniques to improve communication with health care providers (statistically significant at six months).
- Aerobic exercise (not statistically significant at either timepoint).
There were few significant differences between the group participating in the Internet intervention and participants from two similar, non-Internet, interventions using small groups in face-to-face meetings.