55-LB: Mobile Phone Text Message Intervention on Self-Care Activities and Food Choices among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

This study examined the effects of educational text messages on diabetes self-care, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk awareness and food choices (home food availability) among patients with type 2 diabetes. Quasi-experimental design was used with 40 patients (58.0±10.6 years) in the intervention and 39 (55.7±12.2 years) in the control group. In addition to the usual care provided for all participants, the intervention group received three educational text messages weekly for 12 weeks (total of 36 text messages). Pre- and post-intervention measures were collected for both groups. Analysis of covariance was used to assess the intervention effects. Ninety-four percent (94%) of the participants receiving text messages indicated the usefulness of this program and would highly recommend this program to others with type 2 diabetes. The intervention group either maintained the same level at baseline or demonstrated a trend of improvement in self-care activities (healthy eating, exercise, blood glucose testing, medication adherence and foot care) after intervention. Non-statistical significant improvements in weekly MET (Metabolic Equivalent Test) minutes for total minutes of exercise (absolute change=768 minutes; p=0.62) and moderate/vigorous physical activities (absolute change=1688 minutes, p=0.62) were observed for the intervention group. There was no significant differences in nutrients intake (carbohydrate, sugar, added sugar, total fat, and saturated fat) between the intervention and control group at baseline and at 12-week follow-up and no significant changes were observed for dietary nutrients after intervention. However, significant increases in scores of CVD awareness (P=0.04) and availability of fresh fruits (P=0.01) and fresh vegetables (P=0.02) in the home were observed for intervention relative to control group. The pilot results suggest the feasibility and usefulness of the text message program for diabetes education. Disclosure M.J. Nepper: None. Funding University of Nebraska-Lincoln