NCT04875780

A Smartphone-based Intervention for Diabetes Prevention in Overweight Chinese Adults With Pre-diabetes

Effects of a Smartphone-based Weight Loss Programme Targeting Chinese Overweight Adults With Pre-diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 282 (estimated)
• Sponsor: The University of Hong Kong · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 40 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a serious chronic condition and one of the world's fastest growing health problems. The onset of T2DM is gradual, with most individuals progressing through a state of pre-diabetes, which provides an important window of opportunity for the prevention of T2DM and its complications. This project aims to translate the evidence-based diabetes prevention strategies into community setting and utilize mobile health technology to reduce diabetes risks in Hong Kong.

Detailed description

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a major global health issue and the cost to community is high and escalating. The Asia-Pacific region carries a high disease burden, with more than 60% of the global diabetic population living in Asian region. The onset of T2DM is gradual, with most individuals progressing through a state of pre-diabetes. A National Survey conducted in China in 2010 revealed that 50.1% of people aged 18 or older have pre-diabetes. People with pre-diabetes, defined as having impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or elevated glycated haemoglobulin (HbA1C) , are at increased risk of developing T2DM and its associated complications, such as heart diseases and retinopathy, which can develop even in the absence of progression to overt T2DM. Hence, it is essential that people with pre-diabetes are targeted for early intervention to prevent T2DM and related complications. Obesity is a major risk factor for developing T2DM. International trials demonstrate that lifestyle interventions (which includes diet, physical activity and behavioural modification components) targeting at least 5% weight loss in individuals with pre-diabetes can reduce 3-year diabetes incidence by 58%. Growing evidence suggests that smartphones may be a promising platform for delivery of behavioural lifestyle intervention to achieve weight loss. This project aims to translate the evidence-based diabetes prevention strategies into community setting and utilize mobile health technology to reduce diabetes risks in Hong Kong.

Conditions

• Pre-diabetes

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Digital diabetes prevention app intervention	16-week core program consisting of 16 online weekly interactive lessons on diet and physical activity for weight loss. After the completion of the core program, participant can proceed to the 36-week post-core phase. The post-core program provides 8 monthly lessons focusing on maintaining lifestyle habits and weight loss. Participants will be guided to use the smartphone app for goal setting and self-monitoring of diet, physical activity and weight loss. Participants will be demographically matched into online groups of 10-12 persons. Online group discussion board will be set up for participants to discuss goals, share progress and provide supports to each other.
BEHAVIORAL	Digital weight loss tracking app intervention	All participants will be provided the same smartphone app as the intervention group for goal setting and self-monitoring of diet, physical activity and weight loss. Participants will be demographically matched into online groups of 10-12 person. Online group discussion board will be set up for participants to discuss goals, share progress and provide supports to each other.
BEHAVIORAL	Wait-list control (usual care)	Participants in the control group will be invited to have an annual review and blood test at baseline, 4 and 12 months and received general lifestyle advices from a registered nurse at a community clinic.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-06-01
• Primary completion: 2024-05-31
• Completion: 2024-05-31
• First posted: 2021-05-06
• Last updated: 2021-10-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Hong Kong