International Research Journal of Public and Environmental Health

Original Research Article

Stress management among families of children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus type 1 with physiotherapeutic techniques


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*Corresponding Author Email alekpap(at)phys.teithe.gr

Tel: +30 2310445879,+306947371780

Pelagia Tsakona

Kiriaki Tsiroukidou2

Anastasios Vamvakis

Maria Papagianni

Kerasou Anna

Poimenidis Onoufrios

Alexandra Hristara-Papadopoulou*


Article Number: irjpeh.19.002  |   Pages: 7-14  |   Vol.6 (1), January 2019   |   DOI: https://doi.org/10.15739/irjpeh.19.002

 Received: December 15, 2018  Accepted: January 24, 2019  Published: January 28, 2019

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 (TD1) is an autoimmune disease and concerns the overwhelming majority of children and adolescents with diabetes. It is a chronic illness that disrupts family functioning and causes anxiety for both parents and children by affecting their physical and mental health. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a physiotherapeutic stress management program (active therapeutic exercise, pressure therapy, diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation) in reducing stress symptoms in children and adolescents with Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 and their parents. This was a pilot, randomized controlled survey that was carried out in C’ pediatric endocrinology clinic of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki at the Hippokrateion General Hospital of Thessaloniki. A total of 107 individuals, an intervention group of 26 children (7 – 17 years old) and 28 parents (n = 54) and a control group of 28 children and 25 parents (n = 53) participated. The measurement tools included the questionnaires STAIC1,2 for children and DASS 21 for parents with a view to assessing the perceived stress, the perception of health, the quality of life and depression. The price of glycosylated hemoglobin and hypoglycemic episodes of children was checked before and after intervention. After 12 weeks of intervention, the trait anxiety of children was reduced about 5.2 units (p = 0.001) and the state anxiety about 4.4 (p = 0.000) Significant difference was not observed in the glycosylated hemoglobin levels between the two groups, but was observed a significant reduction in hypoglycemic episodes of the class (42%, p = 0.028), with an average reduction of 2.25 hypoglycaemic episodes in the children of the intervention group. The symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in parents of intervention group were significantly reduced about 2.94 units (p = 0.010), 1.89 (p = 0.019), 2.14 (p = 0.048), respectively. The physiotherapy program was associated with changes in the physical and psychological symptoms of children and adolescents with TD1 and their parents. It turned out to have had a positive impact on depression and stress and a significant improvement on their quality of life.

Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus Type 1, family, children, adolescents, stress management, physical therapy, physiotherapeutic techniques

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