Journal Article

A pragmatic and scalable strategy using mobile technology to promote sustained lifestyle changes to prevent type 2 diabetes in India and the UK: a randomised controlled trial

Susairaj Priscilla, Snehalatha Chamukuttan, Westgate, Kate, Nanditha Arun, Ramachandran, Vinitha, Wareham, Nicholas J, Brage Soren, Godsland, Ian F, Sharp, Stephen J, Ramachandran Ambady, Srivanichakorn Weerachai, Majeed Azeem, Thomson, Hazel, Simon, Mary, Johnston, Desmond G, Raghavan Arun, Darzi Ara, Krishnamoorthy, Satheesh, Oliver, Nick

2020

Overview

Aims/hypothesisThis randomised controlled trial was performed in India and the UK in people with prediabetes to study whether mobile phone short message service (SMS) text messages can be used to motivate and educate people to follow lifestyle modifications, to prevent type 2 diabetes.MethodsThe study was performed in people with prediabetes (n = 2062; control: n = 1031; intervention: n = 1031) defined by HbA1c ≥42 and ≤47 mmol/mol (≥6.0% and ≤6.4%). Participants were recruited from public and private sector organisations in India (men and women aged 35–55 years) and by the National Health Service (NHS) Health Checks programme in the UK (aged 40–74 years without pre-existing diabetes, cardiovascular disease or kidney disease). Allocation to the study groups was performed using a computer-generated sequence (1:1) in India and by stratified randomisation in permuted blocks in the UK. Investigators in both countries remained blinded throughout the study period. All participants received advice on a healthy lifestyle at baseline. The intervention group in addition received supportive text messages using mobile phone SMS messages 2–3 times per week. Participants were assessed at baseline and at 6, 12 and 24 months. The primary outcome was conversion to type 2 diabetes and secondary outcomes included anthropometry, biochemistry, dietary and physical activity changes, blood pressure and quality of life.ResultsAt the 2 year follow-up (n = 2062; control: n = 1031; intervention: n = 1031), in the intention-to-treat population the HR for development of type 2 diabetes calculated using a discrete-time proportional hazards model was 0.89 (95% CI 0.74, 1.07; p = 0.22). There were no significant differences in the secondary outcomes.Conclusions/interpretationThis trial in two countries with varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds showed no significant reduction in the progression to diabetes in 2 years by lifestyle modification using SMS messaging.Trial registrationThe primary study was registered on www.ClinicalTrials.gov (India, NCT01570946; UK, NCT01795833).FundingThe study was funded jointly by the Indian Council for Medical Research and the UK Medical Research Council.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Anthropometry / Behavior modification / Blood pressure / Cardiovascular diseases / Cellular telephones / Diabetes / Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent) / Kidney diseases / Lifestyles / Medical research / Motivation / Physical activity / Quality of life / Text messaging