Interventions with a duration of 2 - 6 months providing professional-led support with asynchronous and synchronous communication appeared to be associated with significant well-being outcomes .
While the meta-analyses demonstrated nonsignificant results for depression and distress scores , this review has shown that there is a potential for Web-based interventions to improve well-being outcomes in type 2 diabetes .
BACKGROUND Poor diabetes self-care can have a negative impact on psychological well-being and quality of life .
Given the scarcity of traditional psychological support and the barriers to uptake of and attendance at face-to-face education programs , Web-based interventions are becoming a popular approach to provide an additional platform for psychological support in long-term conditions .
However , there is limited evidence to assess the effect of Web-based psychological support in people with type 2 diabetes .
OBJECTIVE This systematic review is the first review to critically appraise and quantify the evidence on the effect of Web-based interventions that aim to improve well-being in people with type 2 diabetes .
Do Internet-Based Support Interventions Change Perceptions of Social Support?: An Experimental Trial of Approaches for Supporting Diabetes Self-Management
Internet-based support groups are a rapidly growing segment of mutual aid programs for individuals with chronic illnesses and other challenges . Previous studies have informed us about the content of online exchanges between support group members , but we know little about the ability of these interventions to change participants ' perceptions of support . A r and omized trial of 160 adult Type 2 diabetes patients provided novice Internet users with computers and Internet access to 1 of 4 conditions :  (  a ) diabetes information only , ( b ) a personal self-management coach , ( c ) a social support intervention , or ( d ) a personal self-management coach and the support intervention . After 3 months , individuals in the 2 support conditions reported significant increases in support on a diabetes-specific support measure and a general support scale . Participants ' age was significantly related to change in social support , but intervention effects were still significant after accounting for this relationship . This report is a critical first step in evaluating the long-term effects of  Internet-based support for diabetes self-management . The discussion identifies directions for future research
Interventions with a duration of 2 - 6 months providing professional-led support with asynchronous and synchronous communication appeared to be associated with significant well-being outcomes .
While the meta-analyses demonstrated nonsignificant results for depression and distress scores , this review has shown that there is a potential for Web-based interventions to improve well-being outcomes in type 2 diabetes .
BACKGROUND Poor diabetes self-care can have a negative impact on psychological well-being and quality of life .
Given the scarcity of traditional psychological support and the barriers to uptake of and attendance at face-to-face education programs , Web-based interventions are becoming a popular approach to provide an additional platform for psychological support in long-term conditions .
However , there is limited evidence to assess the effect of Web-based psychological support in people with type 2 diabetes .
OBJECTIVE This systematic review is the first review to critically appraise and quantify the evidence on the effect of Web-based interventions that aim to improve well-being in people with type 2 diabetes .