Turtle Therapy on HbA1c and Self-Efficacy Levels With Type 2 Diabetes

The Effect of Turtle Therapy on HbA1c and Self-Efficacy Levels in Diabetes Medication Use in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study

This study examined the effect of live and video turtle therapy on hemoglobin A1c tests and self-efficacy levels in adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus for the first time using pre-test and post-test methods.

In the international literature reviewed, only two studies reported that pet therapy reduced hemoglobin A1c tests and increased self-efficacy in adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. One study examined the use of live fish (repeated care behaviors during pet care, such as feeding twice a day and cleaning the aquarium). In the other study, adolescents who owned different types of pets (dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, etc.) were included in the study. In this context, our study will be the first study conducted in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus using live and video turtle therapy at the national and international level. With the theoretical clarification of the methodological steps, this study, which has methodological characteristics, is unique in that it compares live animal (turtle) and video animal (turtle video) therapy in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, making it a pet therapy study conducted both nationally and internationally in both turtles and individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Within the scope of all this information, this study examined the effect of live and video turtle therapy on hemoglobin A1c and self-efficacy levels in adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being 18 years of age or older,
• Agreement to participate in the study,
• Being literate,
• Being able to communicate verbally,
• No vision, hearing, or speech impairments,
• Agreeing to adopt and care for a turtle (turtle group),
• Ownership of a smartphone, tablet, or computer (video turtle group),
• Having been diagnosed with T2DM and having been receiving DM treatment for at least 6 months,
• HbA1c >7%.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Refusal to participate in the study,
• Not having T2DM,
• Having received DM treatment for less than 6 months,
• Having a psychiatric disorder diagnosed by a psychiatrist.