Virtual Self-Management Tools Can Reduce Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetes
All 3 types of virtual diabetes self-management interventions lead to better results in hemoglobin A1c over a 6-month period.
Inexpensive, accessible self-management interventions for type 2 diabetes (T2D) significantly reduced blood sugar markers used to diagnose and manage the disease, according to results of a study published in Frontiers in Public Health.1 Investigators from Texas A&M University School of Public Health found that 3 types of virtual diabetes self-management interventions led to better results in hemoglobin A1c over a 6-month period.2
All 3 types of virtual diabetes self-management interventions lead to better results in hemoglobin A1c over a 6-month period. | Image Credit: StockPhotoPro - stock.adobe.com
“There are many self-management interventions for people living with type 2 diabetes, but until now little research has been conducted on their effectiveness based on how they are delivered or when they are used in combination,” Marcia Ory, PhD, MPH, Regents and Distinguished Professor with the Texas A&M School of Public Health and the Center for Community Health and Aging, said in a news release.2
The investigators of the study aimed to determine if patients would benefit from any method of intervention for self-management of diabetes. They anticipated that a combined modality would be superior to separate methods. The intent-to-treat population included adults 25 years and older in Texas with T2D, and 189 patients were enrolled from November 2020 to March 2022. Their baseline hemoglobin A1c was 7.5 or higher. Approximately 35% of those included were in rural areas of Texas.1
The modalities studied included virtual Making Moves With Diabetes (vMMWD) alone, technology-based education and support (TBES) alone, or both methods combined. Each intervention was used for 3 months, with follow-up periods at 3 months and 6 months. Initially, investigators randomized treatment for vMMWD or TBES only, and then among those who compared stage 1 with vMMWD, individuals were separated into 2 arms to either continue vMMWD or the combined modality.1
The vMMWD included 1-on-1 counseling, 6 to 8 hours of virtual asynchronous training, and interactions with a registered nurse or dietitian. With the TBES intervention, individuals used a smartphone application and had access to a diabetes coach for personalized support. In the combined group, patients had access to both the virtual education and support programs.2
On average, investigators found that A1c levels significantly decreased from baseline to 3 and 6 months across all patients. All 3 interventions had continuous reductions in A1c in both rural and urban areas. Investigators found that changes from baseline to 6-month follow-up were equal to or higher than the 3-month follow-up, though these results were not significant.
On average, the reduction was approximately 0.5 for each follow-up period of 3 months. Patients who were of older age were associated with lower A1c, as was reporting “good or very good” health at baseline. Investigators also found that patients with financial stability and higher education had lower A1c compared with those who did not.1
“These findings support other studies that found similar diabetes self-management interventions to be effective,” Ory said in the news release.2 “In contrast to other studies, however, our longitudinal analyses found that A1c levels remained lower over time, suggesting that providing self-paced training and skill development could have a lasting impact, despite the particular virtual delivery mode.”
