A Mobile App for the Self-Management of Type 1 Diabetes Among Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND In 2017, mobile app support for managing diabetes was available to 64% of the global population of adults with diabetes. One Drop’s digital therapeutics solution includes an evidence-based mobile app with global reach, a Bluetooth-connected glucometer, and in-app coaching from Certified Diabetes Educators. Among people with type 1 diabetes and an estimated hemoglobin A1c level≥7.5%, using One Drop for 3 months has been associated with an improved estimated hemoglobin A1c level of 22.2 mg/dL (–0.80%). However, the added value of integrated activity trackers is unknown. OBJECTIVE We conducted a pragmatic, remotely administered randomized controlled trial to evaluate One Drop with a new-to-market activity tracker against One Drop only on the 3-month hemoglobin A1c level of adults with type 1 diabetes. METHODS Social media advertisements and online newsletters were used to recruit adults (≥18 years old) diagnosed (≥1 year) with T1D, naïve to One Drop’s full solution and the activity tracker, with a laboratory hemoglobin A1c level≥7%. Participants (N=99) were randomized to receive One Drop and the activity tracker or One Drop only at the start of the study. The One Drop only group received the activity tracker at the end of the study. Multiple imputation, performed separately by group, was used to correct for missing data. Analysis of covariance models, controlling for baseline hemoglobin A1c, were used to evaluate 3-month hemoglobin A1c differences in intent-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses. RESULTS The enrolled sample (N=95) had a mean age of 41 (SD 11) years, was 73% female, 88% White, diagnosed for a mean of 20 (SD 11) years, and had a mean hemoglobin A1c level of 8.4% (SD 1.2%); 11% of the participants did not complete follow up. Analysis of covariance assumptions were met for the ITT and PP models. In ITT analysis, participants in the One Drop and activity tracker condition had a significantly lower 3-month hemoglobin A1c level (mean 7.9%, SD 0.60%, 95% CI 7.8-8.2) than that of the participants in the One Drop only condition (mean 8.4%, SD 0.62%, 95% CI 8.2-8.5). In PP analysis, participants in the One Drop and activity tracker condition also had a significantly lower 3-month hemoglobin A1c level (mean 7.9%, SD 0.59%, 95% CI 7.7-8.1) than that of participants in the One Drop only condition (mean 8.2%, SD 0.58%, 95% CI 8.0-8.4). CONCLUSIONS Participants exposed to One Drop and the activity tracker for the 3-month study period had a significantly lower 3-month hemoglobin A1c level compared to that of participants exposed to One Drop only during the same timeframe. One Drop and a tracker may work better together than alone in helping people with type 1 diabetes. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03459573; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03459573.

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Diabetes Self-Management Smartphone Application for Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/jmir.2588 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. e235 ◽

Cited By ~ 189

Author(s):

Morwenna Kirwan ◽

Corneel Vandelanotte ◽

Andrew Fenning ◽

Mitch J Duncan

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Smartphone Application ◽

Self Management ◽

Randomized Controlled

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One Drop App With an Activity Tracker for Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Trial

JMIR mhealth and uhealth ◽

10.2196/16745 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. e16745

Author(s):

Chandra Y Osborn ◽

Ashley Hirsch ◽

Lindsay E Sears ◽

Mark Heyman ◽

Jennifer Raymond ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Hemoglobin A1c ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Mobile App ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Activity Tracker ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

The One

Background In 2017, mobile app support for managing diabetes was available to 64% of the global population of adults with diabetes. One Drop’s digital therapeutics solution includes an evidence-based mobile app with global reach, a Bluetooth-connected glucometer, and in-app coaching from Certified Diabetes Educators. Among people with type 1 diabetes and an estimated hemoglobin A1c level≥7.5%, using One Drop for 3 months has been associated with an improved estimated hemoglobin A1c level of 22.2 mg/dL (–0.80%). However, the added value of integrated activity trackers is unknown. Objective We conducted a pragmatic, remotely administered randomized controlled trial to evaluate One Drop with a new-to-market activity tracker against One Drop only on the 3-month hemoglobin A1c level of adults with type 1 diabetes. Methods Social media advertisements and online newsletters were used to recruit adults (≥18 years old) diagnosed (≥1 year) with T1D, naïve to One Drop’s full solution and the activity tracker, with a laboratory hemoglobin A1c level≥7%. Participants (N=99) were randomized to receive One Drop and the activity tracker or One Drop only at the start of the study. The One Drop only group received the activity tracker at the end of the study. Multiple imputation, performed separately by group, was used to correct for missing data. Analysis of covariance models, controlling for baseline hemoglobin A1c, were used to evaluate 3-month hemoglobin A1c differences in intent-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses. Results The enrolled sample (N=95) had a mean age of 41 (SD 11) years, was 73% female, 88% White, diagnosed for a mean of 20 (SD 11) years, and had a mean hemoglobin A1c level of 8.4% (SD 1.2%); 11% of the participants did not complete follow up. Analysis of covariance assumptions were met for the ITT and PP models. In ITT analysis, participants in the One Drop and activity tracker condition had a significantly lower 3-month hemoglobin A1c level (mean 7.9%, SD 0.60%, 95% CI 7.8-8.2) than that of the participants in the One Drop only condition (mean 8.4%, SD 0.62%, 95% CI 8.2-8.5). In PP analysis, participants in the One Drop and activity tracker condition also had a significantly lower 3-month hemoglobin A1c level (mean 7.9%, SD 0.59%, 95% CI 7.7-8.1) than that of participants in the One Drop only condition (mean 8.2%, SD 0.58%, 95% CI 8.0-8.4). Conclusions Participants exposed to One Drop and the activity tracker for the 3-month study period had a significantly lower 3-month hemoglobin A1c level compared to that of participants exposed to One Drop only during the same timeframe. One Drop and a tracker may work better together than alone in helping people with type 1 diabetes. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03459573; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03459573.

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Testing a Smartphone App (Young with Diabetes) to Improve Self-Management of Diabetes Over 12 Months: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.9487 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Pernille Castensøe-Seidenfaden ◽

Gitte Reventlov Husted ◽

Andreas Kryger Jensen ◽

Eva Hommel ◽

Birthe Olsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Young People ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Self Management ◽

Diabetes Group ◽

Psychometric Scales ◽

Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND Young people often struggle to self-manage type 1 diabetes during the transition from childhood to adulthood. Mobile health (mHealth) apps may have the potential to support self-management, but evidence is limited and randomized controlled trials are needed. OBJECTIVE We assessed whether the mHealth app “Young with Diabetes” improved young people’s self-management measured by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and three self-reported psychometric scales. METHODS Young people (14-22 years) with inadequate glycemic control and their parents were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial and assigned either to Young with Diabetes and usual care (Young with Diabetes group) or to usual care alone (control). Young with Diabetes use was monitored; functions included a chat room, contact the health care provider, reminders, tips, information about the diabetes department and type 1 diabetes topics, carbohydrate counting, and a parents’ section. Outcomes included HbA1c and three self-reported psychometric scales: Perceived Competence in Diabetes Scale; Health Care Climate Questionnaire; and Problem Areas In Diabetes care survey. Data were collected at baseline and at 2, 7, and 12 months. RESULTS A total of 151 young people were randomized (Young with Diabetes group=76, control=75) and 49 parents agreed to participate. At 12 months, HbA1c was significantly higher (4.1 mmol/mol; 0.4 %) in the Young with Diabetes group, compared to the control group (P=.04); this finding did not occur when comparing app users (Young with Diabetes use ≥5 days) with nonusers. Young people used Young with Diabetes on a mean of 10.5 days. They spent the most time chatting about alcohol and searching for information about sex. Most young people and half of the parents reported that Young with Diabetes helped them. More than 80% would recommend Young with Diabetes to peers. CONCLUSIONS Young with Diabetes did not improve HbA1c, but it may be a useful complement to self-management. Qualitative evaluation is needed to explore benefits and shortcomings of Young with Diabetes. Health care providers should address young peoples’ knowledge about sensitive topics, provide them with peer support, and be aware of parents’ need for information about how to support CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02632383; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02632383 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6zCK2u7xM)

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