Welltang - A smart phone-based diabetes management application - Improves blood glucose control in Chinese people with diabetes

Abstract

Aims: The primary objective was to evaluate the impact of the smart phone-based diabetes management application, Welltang, on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). The second objective was to measure whether Welltang improves blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, weight, blood pressure, hypoglycemic events, satisfaction of patients to use Welltang, diabetes knowledge of patients, and self-care behaviors.

Methods: One hundred evenly randomized subjects with diabetes, aged 18-74years, were recruited from the outpatient Department of Endocrinology for a 3-month study. The Welltang intervention group received training for the use of Welltang, while the control group received their usual standard of care. HbA1c, blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, weight, blood pressure, hypoglycemic events, satisfaction of patients to use Welltang, diabetes knowledge of patients, and self-care behaviors were measured. Patient data were analyzed using independent t test and paired sample test using SPSS version 12.

Results: The average decrease in HbA1c was 1.95% (21mmol/mol) in the intervention group and 0.79% (8mmol/mol) in the control group (P<0.001). Measures of self-monitored blood glucose, diabetes knowledge, and self-care behaviors improved in patients in the intervention group. Eighty four percent of patients in the intervention group were satisfied with the use of Welltang. Differences in hypoglycemic events, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, weight, and blood pressure were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Diabetes patients using the Welltang application achieved statistically significant improvements in HbA1c, blood glucose, satisfaction of patients to use of Welltang, diabetes knowledge, and self-care behaviors.

Keywords: Diabetes; Glucose control; Self-management; Smart phone application; Welltang.