Acceptability of Self-regulation Theory based mHealth Behaviorial Intervention for Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity (Preprint)
BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) is routinely used in younger adults with diabetes for weight loss. However, it is not known if older adult can use mHealth successfully in making lifestyle changes. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to examine the acceptability of a self-regulation theory-based mHealth behaviorial intervention for older adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity. METHODS This was a one-group intervention study. Participants received an 8-week self-regulation theory-based intervention consisting of 5 group sessions. They also used the Lose It! App for daily self-monitoring of food intake, a Fitbit, Bluetooth-enabled glucose meters, and weighing scales. At the end of the 8-week intervention, participants were asked to continue use of these devices for daily self-monitoring for 4 more weeks, without additional group sessions. RESULTS The sample (N=9) was White (88.9%) and female (44.4%), with mean 76.4±6.0 years of age (range: 69-89), 15.7±2.0 years of education, 33.3±3.1 kg/m2 for BMI and 7.4%±0.8 for HbA1c. Mild cognitive impairment was observed in 44.4% of sample. Over the 84 days of self-monitoring, the mean % days of using the Lose It!, Fitbit, blood glucose meter, and scale were 82.7±17.6, 85.2±19.7, 65.3±30.1, and 53.0±34.5, respectively. The mean percent weight loss from baseline was 4.92%±0.25. The dose of oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin was reduced in 55.6% of participants. CONCLUSIONS Older adults are able to use mHealth to improve their lifestyle behaviors and clinical outcomes. CLINICALTRIAL NCT03398590