TOPLINE:

A diabetes management system with online coaching improved A1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) over 26 weeks compared to usual care; however, it did not cause significant improvements in blood pressure, lipid profiles, quality of life, and diabetes-related distress.

METHODOLOGY:

• Individualized coaching in diabetes can empower patients and improve long-term outcomes. Evidence indicates that digital coaching can be as effective as in-person or telephone-based approaches while offering greater reach, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, making it a promising strategy.
• In a randomized clinical trial, 114 adults with T2D (mean age, 58 years; 43% women) were assigned to receive either 52 weeks of a diabetes management system with online coaching (intervention) or usual care (control) from their diabetologist.
• In the intervention group, glucose, blood pressure, weight, and daily steps were captured via the diabetes management system; participants received approximately 30-minute remote coaching sessions (telephone or secure video) focused on personalized self-management support, scheduled weekly in month 1, biweekly in months 2 and 3, and monthly thereafter.
• The control group continued usual care and received no additional intervention.
• The primary endpoint was the change in A1c levels from baseline to 26 weeks.

TAKEAWAY:

• At week 26, A1c levels showed greater improvement in the intervention vs control group (mean difference, -0.9% vs -0.5%; P =.044); the benefits were maintained even at week 52 (P =.047).
• At the 26-week follow-up, no significant differences were observed between the intervention and usual care group in terms of blood pressure, lipid profiles, quality of life, and diabetes-related distress.
• Among the participants in the intervention group who assessed usability of the diabetes management system, 34% rated it above the average usability threshold of 68.

IN PRACTICE:

“A 1% reduction in HbA1c [A1c] is associated with a decreased risk of both microvascular and macrovascular complications in patients with T2DM [T2D]. Given the sustained improvements in HbA1c observed with the use of the DMS [diabetes management system] combined with coaching, this system has the potential to contribute to a reduction in the risk of these diabetes-related complications,” the authors wrote.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Marlo Verket, MSPH, Department of Internal Medicine I, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Germany. It was published online in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.

LIMITATIONS: 

The study faced several significant limitations, including a smaller-than-planned sample size. The adherence rates at both 26-week and 52-week follow-ups were low. App usage was left to participants’ discretion, and coaching sessions were delivered as needed based on each patient’s individual requirements. 

DISCLOSURES:

The study was funded by EvivaMed Germany GmbH. Some authors declared receiving research grants and consulting fees and/or speaker honoraria and having other ties with various pharmaceutical companies.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.