Objective: We evaluated the clinical effects of mHealth system in self-management among subjects at risk of developing diabetes.
Method: DialBetics comprises three modules. (1) Data transmission: patients’ data—blood glucose, blood pressure, body weight, and pedometer counts—are measured at home and sent by smartphone to the server. (2) Evaluation: data are evaluated following the Japan Diabetes Society guideline’s targeted values; DialBetics determines if each reading satisfies the values, then sends the results back to each smartphone. (3) Communication: (a) the patient’s text messages about meals and exercise are sent to the server; (2) processed advice on lifestyle modification. A crossover randomized controlled trial—for six months—was conducted.
Results: The 122 subjects were classified into two groups: 61 in the group A that used the system in the first three months, and 61 in the group B that used the system the latter three months (age, respectively, 46.5±7.2 vs. 46.7±7.1 years). After three month, BMI, abdominal fat area (AFA), and waist circumference (WC) were significantly improved in the group A compared with the group B. At the end of the study, the data of both groups equally improved (Fig. 1).
Conclusions: DialBetics seems effective in improving self-management of subjects who are at risk of developing diabetes.
K. Miyake: Research Support; Self; NTT DOCOMO, INC. K. Waki: Consultant; Self; Nihon Chouzai Co.,Ltd. Research Support; Spouse/Partner; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., MSD K.K., Novo Nordisk Inc. Research Support; Self; NTT DOCOMO, INC. K. Ohe: None.
Daiwa Securities Group Inc.; NTT Docomo Inc.
