Objective To investigate the effect of time-efficient motivation theory-based care on compliance behavior and selfcare ability in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus（T2DM）

so as to provide a reference for clinical treatment. Methods Ninety-eight elderly patients with T2DM admitted to the 7th People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou from April 2019 to August 2021 were selected as the study subjects. The patients were assigned to the observation group and conventional group by random number table

with 49 cases for each group. Patients in the conventional group received routine care

and patients in the observation group time-efficient motivation theory-based care on top of the care in the conventional group. Self-made adaptability scale

Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale（HAMA）

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale（HAMD）

Health-promoting Lifestyle Profile（HPLP-Ⅱ）

self-care ability measurement scale score and fasting blood glucose（FBG）

2 h postprandial blood glucose（2 h PBG）

and glycosylated hemoglobin（HbA1c） levels were compared between the two groups before intervention and at discharge. Compliance was compared between the 2 groups at discharge. Results The fine adaptation and compliance rates in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the conventional group（P<0.05）. At discharge

the HAMA and HAMD scores and FBG

2 h PBG

and HbA1c levels in the 2 groups were lower than those before the intervention

with the observation group lower than the conventional group

and the differences were statistically significant（P<0.05）. After the intervention

the scores of health responsibility

exercise

nutrition

self-realization

interpersonal relationship

and stress management score in HPLP II in the two groups were higher than those before the intervention

and the scores of self-concept

self-responsibility

and self-care skills in self-care ability measurement scale in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the conventional group（P<0.05）. Conclusion Care intervention based on time-efficient motivation theory for elderly patients with T2DM can improve their psychological status

improve their adaptability

strengthen their compliance behaviors

promote the development of health behaviors

improve their self-care ability

and then reduce blood glucose levels

with marked effect. These benefits hold promise for a wider application of this procedure in clinical practice.