The Sukaribit Smartphone App for Better Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study
BackgroundA new app, Sukaribit, was designed to enable contact between the caregiver and the patient with the intent to improve self-care and glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]). ObjectiveThis study investigated the feasibility of the study methodology and t...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2024-01-01
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| Series: | JMIR Formative Research |
| Online Access: | https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e46222 |
| _version_ | 1797359253273444352 |
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| author | Cecilia Josefsson Thea Liljeroos Margareta Hellgren Ulrika Pöder Mariann Hedström Erik M G Olsson |
| author_facet | Cecilia Josefsson Thea Liljeroos Margareta Hellgren Ulrika Pöder Mariann Hedström Erik M G Olsson |
| author_sort | Cecilia Josefsson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
BackgroundA new app, Sukaribit, was designed to enable contact between the caregiver and the patient with the intent to improve self-care and glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]).
ObjectiveThis study investigated the feasibility of the study methodology and the intervention in preparation for a larger effectiveness study.
MethodsAdults with type 2 diabetes were recruited in this randomized controlled feasibility study with a mixed methods design. The intervention group (n=28) tried Sukaribit for 2 months. They were encouraged to report blood glucose levels and medications, and they received feedback from a physician. The control group (n=31) received standard care. Both groups were evaluated with pre and postmeasurements of glycemic control (HbA1c), diabetes distress, physical activity, and self-care. Feasibility was evaluated against 5 progression criteria regarding recruitment, study methods, and active participation.
ResultsOf the 5 progression criteria, only 2 were met or partially met. The recruitment process exceeded expectations, and data collection worked well for self-reported data but not for HbA1c measured with a home testing kit. The participants were less active than anticipated, and the effect sizes were small. Only the number of blood glucose tests per day was positively affected by the intervention, with 0.6 more tests per day in the intervention group.
ConclusionsRecruitment of participants to a future fully powered study may work with minor adjustments. The collection of HbA1c using home testing constituted a major problem, and an alternative strategy is warranted. Finally, the app was not used as intended. In order to proceed with a larger study, the app and study procedures need improvement. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T15:13:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-14acbdaf62c74ee495ce009a79aad3ef |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2561-326X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T15:13:07Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Formative Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-14acbdaf62c74ee495ce009a79aad3ef2024-01-10T13:45:32ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Formative Research2561-326X2024-01-018e4622210.2196/46222The Sukaribit Smartphone App for Better Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Feasibility StudyCecilia Josefssonhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1096-9603Thea Liljerooshttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8353-554XMargareta Hellgrenhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8773-3968Ulrika Pöderhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2867-0490Mariann Hedströmhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6296-0160Erik M G Olssonhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1591-7407 BackgroundA new app, Sukaribit, was designed to enable contact between the caregiver and the patient with the intent to improve self-care and glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]). ObjectiveThis study investigated the feasibility of the study methodology and the intervention in preparation for a larger effectiveness study. MethodsAdults with type 2 diabetes were recruited in this randomized controlled feasibility study with a mixed methods design. The intervention group (n=28) tried Sukaribit for 2 months. They were encouraged to report blood glucose levels and medications, and they received feedback from a physician. The control group (n=31) received standard care. Both groups were evaluated with pre and postmeasurements of glycemic control (HbA1c), diabetes distress, physical activity, and self-care. Feasibility was evaluated against 5 progression criteria regarding recruitment, study methods, and active participation. ResultsOf the 5 progression criteria, only 2 were met or partially met. The recruitment process exceeded expectations, and data collection worked well for self-reported data but not for HbA1c measured with a home testing kit. The participants were less active than anticipated, and the effect sizes were small. Only the number of blood glucose tests per day was positively affected by the intervention, with 0.6 more tests per day in the intervention group. ConclusionsRecruitment of participants to a future fully powered study may work with minor adjustments. The collection of HbA1c using home testing constituted a major problem, and an alternative strategy is warranted. Finally, the app was not used as intended. In order to proceed with a larger study, the app and study procedures need improvement.https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e46222 |
| spellingShingle | Cecilia Josefsson Thea Liljeroos Margareta Hellgren Ulrika Pöder Mariann Hedström Erik M G Olsson The Sukaribit Smartphone App for Better Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study JMIR Formative Research |
| title | The Sukaribit Smartphone App for Better Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study |
| title_full | The Sukaribit Smartphone App for Better Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study |
| title_fullStr | The Sukaribit Smartphone App for Better Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Sukaribit Smartphone App for Better Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study |
| title_short | The Sukaribit Smartphone App for Better Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study |
| title_sort | sukaribit smartphone app for better self management of type 2 diabetes randomized controlled feasibility study |
| url | https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e46222 |
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