Using mHealth Apps for Diabetes, Chronic Disease Self-Management
The mHealth app facilitated chronic disease self-management lowered HbA1c levels.
Source: Getty Images
By - Although there is room for improvement, an mHealth application proved itself a relatively successful method for treating short-term glycemic control while assisting type 2 diabetes patients, according to new data published in JMIR.
Mobile apps are often implemented in the treatment of chronic conditions, allowing patients to participate in chronic disease self-management.
To test the efficacy of a self-monitoring mobile app in type 2 diabetes treatment, researchers used EMR data to conduct a 26-week randomized controlled trial. With a net population of 234 participants, the main factor used to evaluate the system was HbA1c levels, accompanied by self-efficacy, self-care, and satisfaction.
Following the identification of the 269 participants, researchers divided them into three different subgroups: usual care (UC), mobile diabetes self-care (MC), and MC accompanied by physician feedback (MPC).
Researchers found that 12 weeks into the study period, there was an overall decrease in HbA1c levels. However, the numbers were inconsistent across the three subgroups. At the end of the study period, all three subgroups produced similar HbA1c levels, decreasing to anywhere between -0.6 and -0.8.
However, researchers noticed that immediately following the implementation of services, the MPC users experienced the most noticeable decline in HbA1c levels. This was especially apparent among those younger than 65, those who received an initial diabetes diagnosis more than 10 years prior, and patients with a BMI over 25.
Regarding patient satisfaction, 87.2 percent of patients claimed to be happy with the system.
Based on study results, researchers concluded that the mobile app system displays a relatively high potential for treating type 2 diabetes. Although limited differences existed between the control and intervention groups, the app led to decreased HbA1c levels and displayed the ability to manage glycemic control short term.
Despite these mixed results, various external studies have indicated high levels of success when using telehealth to treat diabetes.
A study from March 2022 found that using devices such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) allowed providers to remotely treat pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes. Researchers noted that following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, glycemic control changed dramatically, often leading diabetic patients to high diabetic ketoacidosis levels. However, the use of remote CGMs allowed parents to maintain attention to the symptoms of their child.
Another study from August 2022 found that using a comprehensive telehealth strategy provided various benefits for those with type 2 diabetes. Researchers made this conclusion after comparing patient outcomes between two different groups, noticing that those receiving care through the intervention strategy experienced better HbA1c levels.
