With ageing, older people can become frail. This has been shown to be associated with a decrease in well-being. Observational studies provide evidence of a positive effect of coping resources on well-being. The question is: can coping resources be improved in vulnerable older people? The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is a target group-specific intervention that aims to promote the self-management of older people who are confronted with deteriorating health. Jonkers and colleagues reviewed intervention studies focusing on the CDSMP, and based their conclusions on the benefits of the program. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and PsychINFO to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on the CDSMP. Nine RCTs focusing on relatively young older adults, 75% of whom had an average age between 49 and 65 years, were included. The investigators found that the CDSMP was consistently beneficial for Health behavior, especially with regard to the variables of exercise and self-care. For Health status, the majority of studies only showed improvement in the domain of health distress. Most of the studies that investigated self-efficacy showed convincing improvement in self-efficacy, cognitive symptom management and mental stress management. In Health care utilization, there was no significant decrease.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: The authors concluded that the studies showed that CDSMP led to an increase in physical exercise, a decrease in health distress, an improvement in self-care, and strengthened of self-efficacy.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A PATIENT: The CDSMP is heavily based on self-management by patients. As shown in this study, the model seems to have a strong effect when applied to older adults.

AA Jonker et al. Promotion of self-management in vulnerable older people: a narrative literature review of outcomes of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP). European Journal of Ageing, 2009;6:303-314.