Scientists at the University of Colorado have developed a personalized psychotherapy app that helps diabetic patients lower their blood sugar levels and follow their doctor’s recommendations. It has been reported SciTechDaily.
The study included 668 type 2 diabetes patients with an average age of 58 and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 35 (a BMI of 30 or higher corresponds to the obesity range). Their mean glycated hemoglobin was 8.1%. When glycated hemoglobin is above 6.5%, a person can be diagnosed with diabetes.
Half of the participants were randomly assigned to the control group. They used an app that asked patients a few questions but did not offer individual lessons or recommendations. Patients in the experimental group answered the practice questions and were then asked to take one (or more) classes per week focusing on skill development and behavior change.
After three months, participants using the app experienced a 0.4% reduction in glycated hemoglobin, greater than that achieved with most glucose-lowering drugs. The effect persisted for a long time, including after six months.
Also, while many participants in the control group started using insulin or increased its dose, participants using the app stopped taking insulin or were able to reduce its dose.
The practice used a cognitive-behavioral approach to psychotherapy. The more courses people took, the greater the reduction in glycated hemoglobin they achieved. Participants over the age of 75 were just as successful as the younger ones. The program was not time-consuming: users typically spent less than six minutes a day on the app.
The app could be one of the first digital prescription drugs for diabetes.