Electronic Health Lifestyle Coaching Among Diabetes Patients in a Real-Life Municipality Setting: Observational Study.

Anastasija Komkova,Carl Joakim Brandt,Camilla Sortsø,Daniel Hansen Pedersen,Martha Emneus

doi:10.2196/12140

Abstract

BackgroundInternet and mobile interventions aiming to promote healthy lifestyle have attracted much attention because of their scalability and accessibility, low costs, privacy and user control, potential for use in real-life settings, as well as opportunities for real-time modifications and interactive advices. A real-life electronic health (eHealth) lifestyle coaching intervention was implemented in 8 Danish municipalities between summer 2016 and summer 2018.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the effects associated with the eHealth intervention among diabetes patients in a real-life municipal setting. The eHealth intervention is based on an initial meeting, establishing a strong empathic relationship, followed by digital lifestyle coaching and collaboration supported by a Web-based community among patients.MethodsWe conducted an observational study examining the effect of an eHealth intervention on self-reported weight change among 103 obese diabetes patients in a real-life municipal setting. The patients in the study participated in the eHealth intervention between 3 and 12 months. A weight change was observed at 6, 9, and 12 months. We used regression methods to estimate the impacts of the intervention on weight change.ResultsWe found that the eHealth intervention significantly reduced weight among diabetes patients, on average 4.3% of the initial body mass, which corresponds to 4.8 kg over a mean period of 7.3 months. Patients who were in intervention for more than 9 months achieved a weight reduction of 6.3% or 6.8 kg.ConclusionsThis study brings forward evidence of a positive effect of a real-life eHealth lifestyle intervention on diabetes patients’ lifestyle in a municipal setting. Future research is needed to show if the effect is sustainable from a long-term perspective.

Highlights

A majority of premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases are preventable by facilitating healthier lifestyles [1,2]
We found that the electronic health health care professional (HCP) (eHealth) intervention significantly reduced weight among diabetes patients, on average 4.3% of the initial body mass, which corresponds to 4.8 kg over a mean period of 7.3 months
The authors have previously found that eHealth lifestyle coaching providing various behavior change techniques (BCTs) such as tailored information, self-monitoring, lifestyle coaching, in-person feedback, reminders, and person-to-person support based on a strong personal relationship led to a significant http://diabetes.jmir.org/2019/1/e12140/

Summary

Introduction

Background A majority of premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases are preventable by facilitating healthier lifestyles [1,2]. We applied an observational design to investigate the first outcome data on self-reported weight change among diabetes patients participating in an eHealth intervention with municipality HCPs for at least 3 months. We combine these results with literature findings regarding the impact of weight change on diabetes patients’ costs in a municipality perspective to estimate the potential savings related to societal costs of diabetes. A real-life electronic health (eHealth) lifestyle coaching intervention was implemented in 8 Danish municipalities between summer 2016 and summer 2018

Methods

Results

Conclusion