Last updated August 16, 2026
Key finding
The mean FBS in the intervention group were significantly lower than the control group after the intervention.
This study evaluated the impact of self-care counseling on blood sugar control in women with gestational diabetes. The intervention group showed significant improvements in fasting blood sugar and self-care activities.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Short-Term (≤3 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study evaluated the impact of self-care counseling on blood sugar control in women with gestational diabetes. The intervention group showed significant improvements in fasting blood sugar and self-care activities.
Effective management of gestational diabetes is crucial for the health of both the mother and the baby. This study highlights the potential of self-care counseling to improve blood sugar control and overall well-being, suggesting that integrating stress management into prenatal care could lead to better health outcomes.
The sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings. Some outcomes did not reach statistical significance, indicating uncertainty. The study did not assess long-term effects beyond the intervention period.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Atefeh B, Fatemeh N, Hajar A, Hossein-Ali N, Mahbobeh F, Ezzat K. The effect of self-care counseling based on stress management on blood sugar control in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2025;25:53. doi:10.1186/s12884-025-07138-6
Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) decreased by 1.5 mmol/L in the intervention group (p = 0.001).
SDSCA scores increased by 2.5 points in the intervention group (p = 0.001).
Depression scores decreased significantly in the intervention group (p = 0.001).
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care and Anxiety score, Depression score, Diabetes self-management behaviors, and 4 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care
Primary outcomes
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
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Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
6
Related topics
7
Evidence pairs
1030
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Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
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Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care → Anxiety score
Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care → Anxiety score
Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care → Depression score
Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care → Depression score
Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care → Diabetes self-management behaviors
Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care → Diabetes self-management behaviors
Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care → Fasting blood sugar (FBS)
Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care → Fasting blood sugar (FBS)
Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care → HbA1c
Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care → HbA1c
Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care → Stress
Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care → Stress
Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care → Stress score
Instructional WhatsApp group for diabetes self-care → Stress score
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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs and HbA1c, Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs and Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Behavioral & Lifestyle
Behavioral & Lifestyle
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies on Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs
Contributes to Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs evidence base.
All studies measuring HbA1c
Measures HbA1c as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy
Measures Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy as a key outcome.
Latest published studies
Published within the last 2 years.
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5 results
4 results
5 results
5 results
4 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs may improve Fasting Glucose.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Fasting blood sugar (FBS)
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 17 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs appears to improve Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Diabetes self-management behaviors
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 16 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs may improve HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 82.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 33 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Programs appears to improve Mental Health.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Depression score
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study
Anxiety score
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Stress
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Mixed | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 10 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
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