Effectiveness of LEARNS model-based health education on health literacy and self-management capabilities in patients with pneumoconiosis: a randomized controlled trial

Objectives To evaluate the effect of LEARNS model-based health education for patients with pneumoconiosis. Study design A randomized controlled trial with repeated measures design was conducted. A total of 120 patients with stable pneumoconiosis were randomly assigned to either a control group ( n = 60) receiving conventional treatment or an intervention group ( n = 60) receiving conventional treatment plus LEARNS model-based health education. Methods The health education intervention was delivered three times weekly for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were measured using the Health Education Scale at baseline (T0), 4 weeks (T4), 8 weeks (T8), and 12 weeks (T12). Secondary outcomes included the 6-min walking distance (6MWD), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, and disease-specific symptom dimensions. Data were analyzed using the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. Results The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in health education scale scores compared to the control group ( F = 100.355, p < 0.001). Scores increased from 80.20 ± 11.74 at baseline to 110.89 ± 8.76 at 12 weeks in the intervention group, representing a 30.69-point improvement (P adjusted < 0.001), vs. only 5.89-point improvement in the control group (P adjusted = 0.181). Between-group differences became statistically significant from T4 onwards, with adjusted mean difference of +11.32, +15.87, +18.97, respectively at T4, T8, and T12 compared with the control after baseline unbalanced variables adjusted. Conclusions LEARNS model-based health education significantly improves health literacy and self-management capabilities in patients with pneumoconiosis. The intervention demonstrates cumulative effects over time and substantial clinical significance. This structured educational approach offers a promising strategy for comprehensive pneumoconiosis management.