Comparing a social and communication app, telephone intervention, and usual care for diabetes self-management: 3-arm quasiexperimental evaluation study

Chiu, Ching-Ju and Yu, Yung-Chen and Du, Ye-Fong and Yang, Yi-Ching and Chen, Jou-Yin and Wong, Li-Ping and Tanasugarn, Chanuantong (2020) Comparing a social and communication app, telephone intervention, and usual care for diabetes self-management: 3-arm quasiexperimental evaluation study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 8 (6). ISSN 2291-5222, DOI https://doi.org/10.2196/14024.

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Abstract

Background: Many technology-assisted innovations have been used to manage disease. However, most of these innovations are not broadly used by older adults due to their cost. Additionally, disease management through technology-assisted innovations has not been compared with other interventions. Objective: In this study, we tested the employment of a free and widely used social and communication app to help older adults with diabetes manage their distress and glycemic control. We also compared the effectiveness of the app with 2 other methods, namely telephone and conventional health education, and determined which subgroup experiences the most effects within each intervention. Methods: Adults aged >= 50 years with type 2 diabetes were recruited from Southern Taiwan (N=231) and were allocated to different 3-month interventions. Informed consent was obtained at the Ministry of Science and Technology and approved by the National Cheng Kung University Hospital Institutional Review Board (No. A-ER-102-425). Results: Participants in the mobile-based group had significant reductions in hemoglobin A1c compared with the telephone-based and usual care groups (mean changes of -0.4%, 0.1%, and 0.03%, respectively; P=.02). Diabetes-specific distress decreased to a greater extent in the mobile-based group compared to the other 2 groups (mean changes of -5.16, -3.49, and -2.44, respectively, P=.02). Subgroup analyses further revealed that the effects on reducing blood glucose levels in the social and communication app groups were especially evident in patients with lower distress scores, and diabetes-related distress was especially evident in participants who were younger than 60 years or had higher educational levels. Conclusions: The findings of this study inform more flexible use of social and communication apps with in-person diabetes education and counselling.

Item Type: Article
Funders: Taiwan National Science Council
Uncontrolled Keywords: Diabetes; Self-management; Depression symptoms; Distress; Middle-aged and older adults
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine
Depositing User: Ms Zaharah Ramly
Date Deposited: 04 Nov 2024 00:29
Last Modified: 04 Nov 2024 00:29
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/36623

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