Effects of Personalized DiaBetes TEXT Messaging Combined with Peer Support Education on Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background:

To investigate the effects of personalized DiaBetes TEXT messaging combined with Peer Support Education (DB-TEXT+ PSE) on clinical outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods:

An assessor-blinded, three-arm randomized controlled trial recruited 84 participants between December 2022 and July 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to a DB-TEXT + PSE group, a DB-TEXT group, or a professional education program (PEP) group. Primary outcomes included glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, and clinical remission rates, whereas secondary outcomes measured lipid profiles, fatigue, sleep quality, depression, and quality of life (QoL). Outcomes were assessed at baseline (T0), three months (T1), and six months (T2) postintervention.

Results:

Relative to PEP, personalized DB-TEXT + PSE and DB-TEXT alone led to significantly reduced HbA_1c levels at T1 and decreased FBG levels at T1 and T2. Type 2 diabetes remission was achieved by 35.7% and 50% of the participants in the DB-TEXT + PSE group, by 17.9% and 25% in the DB-TEXT group, and by 3.7% and 3.7% in the PEP group at T1 and T2, respectively. Relative to the PEP, DB-TEXT + PSE led to significantly reduced TC levels, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and improved sleep quality and QoL over time.

Conclusions:

Personalized DB-TEXT + PSE is more effective at enhancing clinical outcomes, reducing fatigue, improving sleep quality, and improving quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes than DB-TEXT alone and PEPs are. Educators can incorporate personalized DB-TEXT + PSE as a component of diabetes education programs and thereby integrate digital interventions and supplementary programs.