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.

Elaheh Keshavarzian, Nahid Aghebati, Vahid Ghavami, Mohammad Reza Ansari Astana

Journal: International journal of community based nursing and midwifery 2026;14(2):110-123

PMID: 42058546

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: IRCT20220611055134N.

Address: Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.; Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.; Department of Epidemiology & Biostatics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.; Department of Eye, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

DOI: 10.30476/ijcbnm.2026.105186.2698

MeSH Terms: Humans, Quality of Life, Female, Diabetic Retinopathy, Male, Anxiety, Middle Aged, Intravitreal Injections, Surveys and Questionnaires, Iran, Self Care, Adult, Patient Education as Topic, Webcasts as Topic, Aged, Telemedicine