Spiritual Care for Psychological and Glycemic Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes

Overview

This study aims to evaluate the effects of integrating spiritual care into the management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study examines whether a structured spiritual care program can improve psychological resilience, reduce psychological distress, and help control blood glucose levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Participants receive standard diabetes care, with one group also receiving spiritual care interventions delivered by trained health professionals. The findings of this study are expected to support a more holistic approach to diabetes management that addresses both physical and psychological well-being.

This study is a randomized controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the impact of integrating spiritual care into standard management for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Psychological distress and reduced resilience are common among patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and may negatively influence glycemic control. Integrating spiritual care into routine diabetes management may help address these psychosocial challenges and improve overall patient well-being. Eligible participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group received standard diabetes care combined with a structured spiritual care program, while the control group received standard diabetes care alone. The spiritual care intervention was delivered by trained health professionals and included supportive spiritual counseling, reflective practices, and discussions tailored to patients' beliefs and coping needs. Primary outcomes of the study included changes in psychological resilience, psychological distress, and glycemic control as measured by blood glucose levels. Secondary outcomes included additional psychological and clinical indicators relevant to diabetes management. Outcome assessments were conducted at baseline and after completion of the intervention period. The study was conducted in a hospital setting in Indonesia and followed ethical principles for research involving human participants, with approval obtained from an institutional ethics committee. The findings are expected to provide evidence to support holistic and patient-centered approaches to diabetes care that integrate spiritual and psychological dimensions alongside standard medical treatment.