A Novel Diabetes Prevention Intervention Using a Mobile App

• Published in: American journal of preventive medicine 2015-08, Vol.49 (2), p.223-237
• Main Authors: Fukuoka, Yoshimi, PhD, RN, Gay, Caryl L., PhD, Joiner, Kevin L., MS, RN, Vittinghoff, Eric, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Internal Medicine
• ISSN: 0749-3797; 1873-2607
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2015.01.003

Introduction Mobile phone technology may be a cost-effective and convenient way to deliver proven weight-loss interventions and thereby prevent or delay onset of type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and efficacy of a diabetes prevention intervention combined with a mobile app and pedometer in English-speaking overweight adults at risk for type 2 diabetes. Design RCT. Participants Participants included 61 overweight adults with a mean age (SD) of 55.2 (9.0) years. Seventy-seven percent were women, 48% were racial/ethnic minorities, and baseline BMI was 33.3 (6.0). Intervention The curriculum was adapted from the Diabetes Prevention Program, with the frequency of in-person sessions reduced from 16 to six sessions and group exercise sessions replaced by a home-based exercise program. A study-developed mobile phone app and pedometer augmented the intervention and provided self-monitoring tools. Main outcome measure Weight loss. Results Data were collected in 2012 and 2013 and were analyzed in 2014. In intention-to-treat analyses, the intervention group ( n =30) lost an average of 6.2 (5.9) kg (–6.8% [5.7%]) between baseline and 5-month follow-up compared to the control group’s ( n =31) gain of 0.3 (3.0) kg (0.3% [5.7%]) ( p