Evaluating the impact of mobile telephone technology on type 2 diabetic patients' self-management: the NICHE pilot study.

Full Abstract

RATIONALE,

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
Utilizing information technology, such as Internet and cellphones, holds great promise in enhancing diabetic care. Yet few studies have examined the impact of cellphone technology on type 2 diabetics' self-care. The primary aim of the study is to examine the feasibility of utilizing this technology to assist with diabetes self-care in a clinic population as well as its impact on clinical outcomes.

METHODS:
Thirty patients with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes at two Community Health Centers were randomized to intervention or control. Intervention patients participated in a brief intervention and received tailored daily messages via cellphone prompting them to enhance their diabetic self-care behaviour. Patients at the control site continued with their standard diabetes self-management.

RESULTS:
A mean improvement in HbA1c levels was apparent (-0.1, SD = 0.3%; P = 0.1534) in the intervention group, compared with a mean deterioration in the control (0.3, SD = 1.0%; P = 0.3813), yet without statistical significance. Self-efficacy scores improved significantly in the intervention group (-0.5, SD = 0.6; P = 0.0080) compared with no improvement in the control (0.0, SD = 1.0; P = 0.9060). Participants encountered numerous technological barriers when attempting to adhere to the intervention protocol.

CONCLUSION:
The results indicate the intervention had a positive impact on some clinical outcome and self-efficacy. Although the technology appears feasible in a clinical setting technology must be made more user-friendly before a larger phase II trial is conducted.

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Author information

Author/s: Faridi, Zubaida (Z); Liberti, Lauren (L); Shuval, Kerem (K); Northrup, Veronika (V); Ali, Ather (A); Katz, David L (DL);

Affiliation: Prevention Research Center, Griffin Hospital, Derby, CT 06418, USA. zubaida.faridi(-atsign-)yalegriffinprc.org

Grants: 1R21DKK072321-01 (Agency:United States PHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Evaluation Studies; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Journal of evaluation in clinical practice (J Eval Clin Pract), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 14 (issue 3) : pp 465-9

Dates: Created 2008/05/08; Completed 2008/06/19;

PMID: 18373577, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Education as Topic
Pilot Projects
Self Care

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