WhatsApp-Based Education Program for Stroke Patients

Stroke remains the second leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a well-established risk factor, doubling the risk of ischemic stroke compared with non-diabetic individuals. Glycemic dysregulation occurs in approximately two-thirds of patients after acute stroke and is directly correlated with both the severity of the acute cerebrovascular event and the likelihood of recurrence. Persistent poor glycemic control following stroke further increases the risk of recurrent events and reflects poor adherence to treatment regimens. Therefore, interventions that enhance glycemic control and promote adherence are of paramount importance in the secondary prevention of stroke among T2DM patients.

Educational and counseling interventions play a central role in diabetes self-management. Timely and appropriate insulin administration is essential for maintaining blood glucose levels within target ranges. Previous studies have demonstrated that structured diabetes and insulin education improves patients' glycemic outcomes and treatment adherence. In recent years, mobile health technologies and digital platforms have been increasingly used to support self-management and education. WhatsApp, a widely available and user-friendly communication platform, has proven effective in improving diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-management behaviors in individuals with T2DM. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of research evaluating the use of WhatsApp-based education and counseling specifically in stroke patients with coexisting T2DM, despite their high vulnerability to complications and recurrent stroke.

This randomized controlled trial was designed to address this gap by investigating the effectiveness of WhatsApp-supported education and counseling in improving healthy lifestyle behaviors, glycemic control, and knowledge levels among stroke patients undergoing insulin therapy. The study will be conducted at SBÜ Gaziler Physical Training and Rehabilitation Research Hospital.

Eligible participants will be adults aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke and T2DM, a Mini-Mental Test score greater than 18, and who are receiving insulin therapy. Exclusion criteria include incomplete data collection, major organ failure, or severe T2DM-related complications (e.g., diabetic foot, nephropathy, cardiovascular disease). Based on power analysis using a prior study on diabetes knowledge improvement, a total of 84 participants (42 in each group) will be recruited. Randomization will be performed in a 1:1 ratio using block randomization with four-unit blocks and six possible combinations, conducted independently via an online randomization tool (randomizer.org).

The control group will receive routine face-to-face diabetes education and insulin injection training delivered verbally during hospitalization. The intervention group will receive the same routine education plus a structured four-week WhatsApp-based education program. The WhatsApp intervention will deliver weekly educational content, including booklets, photos, and videos, covering the following topics:

Week 1: Definition, types, and symptoms of T2DM

Week 2: Complications of T2DM; recognition and management of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia; importance of foot care

Week 3: Nutrition and exercise in diabetes management

Week 4: Diabetes treatment, including oral antidiabetic agents, insulin therapy, and insulin injection demonstration

In addition, participants in the intervention group will be able to ask questions through WhatsApp, which will be answered by the research team to ensure interactive and continuous support.

Data will be collected at baseline (T0) and six months after the intervention (T1). Tools include the Revised Diabetes Knowledge Test-2 (23 items), the Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale (34 items, 5-point Likert), and a demographic/clinical data form including sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, medications, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR levels. The Revised Diabetes Knowledge Test-2 has been validated in Turkish, and the Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale has demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.86).

All assessments will be conducted by a trained nurse in the stroke clinic. Data analysis will use SPSS software, applying descriptive statistics, normality tests, and appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests. Reliability will be assessed using Cronbach's alpha. A p-value of <0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

Ethical approval has been granted by the Ethics Committee of SBÜ Gaziler Physical Training and Rehabilitation Research Hospital (Approval No: E-34215015). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to enrollment.

The study is expected to demonstrate that WhatsApp-supported education and counseling, when integrated with routine hospital-based education, enhance patient knowledge, foster healthier lifestyle behaviors, and improve glycemic control in stroke patients with T2DM. If proven effective, this intervention may provide an accessible, cost-effective, and scalable approach for integrating mobile health tools into rehabilitation nursing and chronic disease management programs, ultimately contributing to better long-term outcomes and reduced recurrence of stroke.