Effectiveness of Self-Care Interventions in Managing Chronic Diseases: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Chronic conditions, including heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, account for 71% of global deaths and present major challenges to healthcare systems, making self-care interventions essential for improving disease management and outcomes. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of self-care interventions in managing chronic diseases by synthesizing evidence from randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and systematic reviews. Literature search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar to identify English-language studies examining self-care interventions in adults with chronic illnesses. Eligible studies included those focusing on diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart failure, and related conditions, with outcomes assessing self-care behaviors, clinical indicators, quality of life, and healthcare utilization. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers following PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-two studies meeting inclusion criteria involved diverse interventions such as telemonitoring, nurse-led education, mobile health applications, and theory-driven behavioral programs, encompassing over 50,000 participants globally. Consistent improvements were observed in self-care behaviors and quality of life, with significant positive effects on clinical outcomes including glycemic control, blood pressure, and symptom management. Notably, telemonitoring and nurse-led supportive programs showed sustained benefits in heart failure populations. Reductions in hospital readmissions and symptom burden further indicated enhanced disease control and patient well-being. However, heterogeneity in intervention design and outcome measures limited comparability across studies. Self-care interventions are effective in improving behavioral, clinical, and quality-of-life outcomes in adults with chronic diseases, particularly heart failure. Integration of technology and personalized education appears beneficial, yet standardized intervention frameworks and further research are needed to optimize strategies across diverse chronic conditions and healthcare settings.