Nature Image Exposure in Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes often requires repeated procedures, including insulin self-injection and self-monitoring of blood glucose. These procedures may cause pain and lead to fear of self-injection and blood glucose testing, which may negatively affect treatment adherence and diabetes self-management. Nature-based visual stimuli may serve as a simple, non-pharmacological distraction method by directing attention away from painful or fear-inducing procedures. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of nature image exposure on pain, fear of self-injection, and fear of blood glucose testing in adults with type 2 diabetes. A total of 64 participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=32) or the control group (n=32). Participants in the intervention group viewed a standardized nature image displayed on a fixed wall-mounted screen for 3-5 minutes immediately before insulin self-injection and self-monitoring of blood glucose. Participants in the control group received standard care without nature image exposure. Outcomes were assessed using the Diabetes Fear of Injecting and Self-Testing Questionnaire and the Visual Analog Scale.