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A 3-Month Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial of a Patient-Centered, Computer-Based Self-Monitoring System for the Care of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension

  • Mobile Systems
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Abstract

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of a patient-centered, tablet computer-based self-monitoring system for chronic disease care. A 3-month randomized controlled pilot trial was conducted to compare the use of a computer-based self-monitoring system in disease self-care (intervention group; n = 33) with a conventional self-monitoring method (control group; n = 30) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension. The system was equipped with a 2-in-1 blood glucose and blood pressure monitor, a reminder feature, and video-based educational materials for the care of the two chronic diseases. The control patients were given only the 2-in-1 monitor for self-monitoring. The outcomes reported here included the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, fasting blood glucose level, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, chronic disease knowledge, and frequency of self-monitoring. The data were collected at baseline and at 1-, 2-, and 3-month follow-up visits. The patients in the intervention group had a significant decrease in mean systolic blood pressure from baseline to 1 month (p < 0.001) and from baseline to 3 months (p = 0.043) compared with the control group. Significant improvements in the mean diastolic blood pressure were seen in the intervention group compared with the control group after 1 month (p < 0.001) and after 2 months (p = 0.028), but the change was not significant after 3 months. No significant differences were observed between the groups in the fasting blood glucose level, the HbA1c level, or chronic disease knowledge. The frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose level and blood pressure was similar in both groups. The performances of the tablet computer-assisted and conventional disease self-monitoring appear to be useful to support/maintain blood pressure and diabetes control. The beneficial effects of the use of electronic self-care resources and support provided via mobile technologies require further confirmation in longer-term, larger trials.

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Acknowledgments

The study was conducted with the support of the Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) of Food and Health Bureau, The Government of HKSAR (grant number 12133231; PI: Calvin Or) and the Theme-based Research Scheme of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (grant number T32-102/14-N).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Room 8-7, 8/f., Haking Wong Building, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China

    Calvin Or

  2. Institute of Human Factors and Ergonomics, College of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China

    Da Tao

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  1. Calvin Or
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  2. Da Tao
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Correspondence to Calvin Or.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Mobile Systems

Appendices

Appendix 1

Appendix 1 Adjusted changes in the study outcomes over time [means (95 % CI)] (The data were adjusted for gender, age, disease type, and baseline variables)
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Appendix 2

Appendix 2 Sensitivity analyses of the study outcomes with missing data imputed with the last observation carried forward approach [means (95 % CI)]
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Or, C., Tao, D. A 3-Month Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial of a Patient-Centered, Computer-Based Self-Monitoring System for the Care of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension. J Med Syst 40, 81 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-016-0437-1

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