scholarly journals Intervention through Short Messaging System (SMS) and phone call alerts reduced HbA1C levels in ~47% type-2 diabetics–results of a pilot study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0241830
Author(s):  
Kanakavalli K. Kundury ◽  
Basavanagowdappa Hathur
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
World Health ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Hba1c Levels

Purpose Despite extensive research and newer methods of interventions, the incidence and prevalence of diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate. Currently, according to world health organization (WHO) statistics, 422 million individuals are suffering from diabetes worldwide. In India, recent estimates have reported a significant increase in the number of diabetics in the last decade. Poor dietary habits, minimal adherence to treatment regimens, lack of timely education are some of the contributing factors for increasing incidence and huge economic burden; which can be handled by life style behavior modifications backed up by hand holding through continuous education. Prior studies have demonstrated the efficacy of various self-management tools and educational programs in better disease management behaviors among individuals with diabetes. Among various self-management tools, educating the individuals and alerting them using mobile phone calls and short messaging system (SMS) are widely accepted due to (a) the increasing mobile phone users and (b) availability of short messaging systems in local languages in the recent years. Therefore, a pilot study was conducted to determine the benefit of educating patients through phone calls and SMS in the self-management of diabetes. Objectives The objective of the study is to determine the feasibility and utility of SMS and phone call-based interventions in the management of diabetes by comparing the HbA1c values. Methodology The study was conducted for a period of 14 months from December 2017 till Feb 2019. Out of 380 individuals initially enrolled into the study, 120 had completed the 14-months period. Diabetes education through SMS and phone calls was provided on regular basis, and HbA1C levels at baseline, 8-months and 14-months quantified. In addition, feedback on patients’ satisfaction and utility of the SMS / Phone calls was collected using questionnaires. Results Data from our study demonstrated that after 8-months of intervention through phone calls, a significant increase in the number of individuals with HbA1c in the range of 5.1 to 7.0 was observed (from 27 individuals at base line to 37 individuals after 8-months intervention). Much more significant improvement in the number of individuals with lower HbA1c was observed at 14-months of intervention, indicating the benefit of regular phone call-based system in managing diabetes. A Chi square (χ2) test was performed to examine if the frequencies in the cells varied at baseline and at 8 and 14 months. Conclusion Chronic diseases like diabetes needs awareness and education to patients in adopting disease self-management practices. As mobile phone users are increasing in number, providing diabetes management education through mobile phone intervention could be a viable strategy for controlling diabetes.

scholarly journals Development and Local Contextualization of Mobile Health Messages for Enhancing Disease Management Among Community-Dwelling Stroke Patients in Rural China: Multimethod Study

10.2196/15758 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. e15758
Author(s):  
Enying Gong ◽  
Wanbing Gu ◽  
Erdan Luo ◽  
Liwei Tan ◽  
Julian Donovan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Secondary Prevention ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Dispatching Algorithm ◽  
Depth Interviews

Background Rural China has experienced an increasing health burden because of stroke. Stroke patients in rural communities have relatively poor awareness of and adherence to evidence-based secondary prevention and self-management of stroke. Mobile technology represents an innovative way to influence patient behaviors and improve their self-management. Objective This study is part of the System-Integrated Technology-Enabled Model of Care (the SINEMA trial) to improve the health of stroke patients in resource-poor settings in China. This study aimed to develop and pilot-test a mobile phone message–based package, as a component of the SINEMA intervention. Methods The SINEMA trial was conducted in Nanhe County, Hebei Province, China. A total of 4 villages were selected for pretrial contextual research and pilot study. The 5 stages for developing the mobile phone messages were as follows: (1) conducting literature review on existing message banks and analyzing the characteristics of these banks; (2) interviewing stroke patients and caregivers to identify their needs; (3) drafting message contents and designing dispatching algorithms for a 3-month pilot testing; (4) collecting feedback from pilot participants through questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews on facilitators and barriers related to their acceptance and understanding of messages; and (5) finalizing the message-based intervention based on participants’ feedback for the SINEMA trial. Results On the basis of 5 existing message banks screened out of 120 papers and patients’ needs identified from 32 in-depth interviews among stroke patients and caregivers, we developed a message bank containing 224 messages for a pilot study among 54 community-dwelling stroke patients from 4 villages. Of 54 participants, 51 (response rate: 94.4%) completed the feedback survey after receiving daily messages for 3 months. Participants’ mean age was 68 years (SD 9.2), and about half had never been to school. We observed a higher proportion of participants who were in favor of voice messages (23/42, 54%) than text messages (14/40, 35%). Among participants who received voice messages (n=43) and text messages (n=40), 41 and 30, respectively, self-reported a full or partial understanding of the contents, and 39 (39/43, 91%) and 32 (32/40, 80%), respectively, rated the messages as helpful. Analyses of the 32 interviews further revealed that voice messages containing simple and single-theme content, in plain language, with a repeated structure, a slow playback speed, and recorded in local dialect, were preferred by rural stroke patients. In addition, the dispatching algorithm and tools may also influence the acceptance of message-based interventions. Conclusions By applying multiple methodologies and conducting a pilot study, we designed and fine-tuned a voice message–based intervention package for promoting secondary prevention among community-dwelling stroke patients in rural China. Design of the content and dispatching algorithm should engage both experts and end users and adequately consider the needs and preferences of recipients.

scholarly journals Mobile Phone-Based Self-Management Tools for Type 2 Diabetes: The Few Touch Application

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 328-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Arsand ◽  
N. Tatara ◽  
G. ostengen ◽  
G. Hartvigsen
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Management Tools

scholarly journals Evaluating the Effect of Using Mobile Phone Reminders on the Adherence to Children and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes Attending Outreach Appointments

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Arsene Florent Hobabagabo ◽  
Rex Wong ◽  
Soha El-Halabi ◽  
Edison Rwagasore ◽  
Simon-Pierre Niyonsenga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Outreach Visits

Effective management of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) requires that people living with the condition attend regular clinical visits. The Rwanda Diabetes Association (RDA) asks young T1DM patients to attend quarterly outreach visits, and prior to the visits, RDA issues reminders via local radio stations. However, adherence in attending clinical appointments has remained low.Since Rwanda has a high mobile phone penetration rate, a pilot intervention study was conducted exploring the use of mobile phone call reminders and Short Message Service (SMS) messages to increase T1DM patients’ attendance of RDA’s quarterly outreach visits. The control group was exposed to only the regular radio broadcast, while the intervention group received reminder phone calls or SMS messages 72 hours prior to their appointments in addition to the regular radio broadcast.The attendance rate was significantly different between the 14 control patients and 35 intervention patients, with 23.3% (3/14) and 76.7% (27/35) attending visits, respectively (P=0.048). The results suggest that using mHealth methods (phone call/SMS reminders) can be effective in improving health outcomes, improving the adherence of T1DM patients to follow-up visits with minimal added cost. The total cost was 0.37 USD per person, compared to potential 672.40 USD for each lost treatment, indicating the intervention is cost-effective in that it minimizes loss to follow up in resource-limited settings. Further research is needed to evaluate the feasibility of scaling up the pilot project and to understand whether improved attendance is sustained long-term.

scholarly journals Hemispheric Dominance and Laterality in Mobile Phone Use in Adults: An Observational Study

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
N. C. Onyeagwara ◽  
A. L. Okhakhu
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Hemispheric Dominance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Right Hand ◽  
The Right

Aims: Mobile/cell phone use has become an important socio-medical means of communication. The reason people use a particular ear to answer phone calls more frequently may be associated with hemispheric dominance/ handedness. We aim to determine association between hemispheric and or auditory dominance in laterality in mobile phone use.    Study Design:  This was a three month prospective cross-sectional study involving all consenting medical and paramedical respondents. Place and Duration of Study: Hospital community in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City , between 15th March to 15th June 2018. Method: A modification of the Edinburgh handedness inventory (EHI) was the survey tool. Information retrieved included social demographics, hand most commonly used for activities like writing and picking of phone calls and ear used for phone conversation and the reasons. Data was analyzed using SPSS 19.0 Results: Of the 300 questionnaires distributed, 234 (78%) were completed by the respondents. There were 120(51.3%) males and114 (48.7%) females.  Age ranged from 18 - 80years. A total of 201(85.9%) were right handed, 16(6.8%) left handed and 14(6.0%) ambidextrous. One hundred and fifty four (66%) routinely use their right hand to pick phone calls, 50(21.4%) left and 27 (11.5%) use both hands. A total of 141(60%) receive calls with the right ear, 60 (25.6%) with left, and 31(13.2%) had no preference.  Reasons advanced for the use of any particular ear included convenience 173 (73.9%), and better acuity 35(15%). Forty two (17.9%) agreed that the use of cell phone made them aware of their poor hearing in a particular ear. Using Pearson’s two tailed test of significance the probability of a right hander using the right hand to pick a phone call and placing it on the right ear is 0.99 or 99%, Vis a Vis left hander. Conclusion: There appears to be an association between hemispheric dominance and laterality when using the mobile phone.

Integrating Smartphone Talking Applications, Trust, Switching Cost and Customer Switching Behaviour in the Mobile Phone Market

2019 ◽  
pp. 285-303
Author(s):  
Ali Abdelkader
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Switching Cost ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Communication Services ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Switching Behaviour ◽  
Customer Switching ◽  
Phone Service ◽  
The Impact

In recent years, free talking applications via smartphones and tablets have emerged. These applications are considered as a substitute service for phone calls. This study investigates the effect of providing smartphone talking applications (as a substitute service) upon the switching behaviour of mobile phone service users, from phone call to free talking applications call, in Egypt. Additionally, it investigates the impact of trust and switching cost on the strength and trend of this relationship, in order to develop a conceptual model in the mobile phone market in Egypt. Three hypotheses were tested and developed by using a sample of 353 Egyptian mobile phone users. Results found that providing smartphone talking applications (as a substitute service) has a significant impact upon the switching behaviour of mobile phone service users in all communication services, except urgent calls. The strength of this relationship is increased when the trust and the switching cost (as intervening or mediating variables) are available. Recommendations are made to help mobile phone companies in Egypt prevent customers from switching to competitors.

Integrating Smartphone Talking Applications, Trust, Switching Cost and Customer Switching Behaviour in the Mobile Phone Market

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Abdelkader
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Switching Cost ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Communication Services ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Switching Behaviour ◽  
Customer Switching ◽  
Phone Service ◽  
The Impact

In recent years, free talking applications via smartphones and tablets have emerged. These applications are considered as a substitute service for phone calls. This study investigates the effect of providing smartphone talking applications (as a substitute service) upon the switching behaviour of mobile phone service users, from phone call to free talking applications call, in Egypt. Additionally, it investigates the impact of trust and switching cost on the strength and trend of this relationship, in order to develop a conceptual model in the mobile phone market in Egypt. Three hypotheses were tested and developed by using a sample of 353 Egyptian mobile phone users. Results found that providing smartphone talking applications (as a substitute service) has a significant impact upon the switching behaviour of mobile phone service users in all communication services, except urgent calls. The strength of this relationship is increased when the trust and the switching cost (as intervening or mediating variables) are available. Recommendations are made to help mobile phone companies in Egypt prevent customers from switching to competitors.

Pilot Mobile Phone Intervention in Promoting Type 2 Diabetes Management in an Urban Area in Ghana: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 455-464
Author(s):  
Ernest Asante ◽  
Victoria Bam ◽  
Abigail Kusi-Amponsah Diji ◽  
Alberta Yemotsoo Lomotey ◽  
Agnes Owusu Boateng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Glycemic Management

Purpose The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a nurse-led mobile phone call intervention on glycemic management and adherence to self-management practices among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Ghana. Methods This was a pilot randomized controlled trial to compare diabetes care as usual to a mobile phone call intervention delivered by nurses in addition to care as usual over a 12-week period in a tertiary referral hospital in Ghana. Sixty patients with T2DM were randomized to either the intervention or the control arm. The intervention group received up to 16 mobile phone calls (mean duration = 12 minutes) from a diabetes specialist nurse in addition to their care as usual. The control group received only care as usual. The primary outcome was the change in A1C over the 12-week period. The secondary outcomes were changes in self-reported adherence to medication and diabetes self-management measures over the 12-week period. Results Mean baseline A1C was comparable between the intervention and control groups (9.54%, SD = 2.00% vs 9.07%, SD = 1.72%, P = .334). After 12 weeks, A1C was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group. The difference in mean A1C in the control group rose by +0.26 ± 1.30% ( P = .282; 95% CI, −0.23 to 0.75), whereas that of the intervention group reduced by −1.51 ± 2.67% ( P = .004; 95% CI, −2.51 to −0.51). No improvements in self-management were recorded in the control group. In the intervention group, however, the only significant improvement was recorded in the area of foot care practices. Participant recruitment and retention were 100% without any attrition. About 87% (n = 26) of the intervention group completed at least 70% (≥11) of the calls. At the end of the trial, participants who received the intervention rated their satisfaction as 89.3% on average. Conclusion A mobile phone follow-up call by nurses emphasizing adherence to self-management practices is feasible and can improve short- to medium-term glycemic management among patients with T2DM.

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