Feasibility study of portable technology for weight loss and HbA1c control in type 2 diabetes

Background The study investigated the feasibility of conducting a future Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention for weight loss and HbA1c reduction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Methods The intervention was a small wearable mHealth device used over 12 weeks by overweight people with T2DM with the intent to lose weight and reduce their HbA1c level. A 4 week maintenance period using the device followed. The device records physical activity level and information about food consumption, and provides motivational feedback based on energy balance. Twenty-seven participants were randomised to receive no intervention; intervention alone; or intervention plus weekly motivational support. All participants received advice on diet and exercise at the start of the study. Weight and HbA1c levels were recorded at baseline and weeks 6, 12, and 16. Qualitative interviews were conducted with participants who received the intervention to explore their experiences of using the device and involvement in the study including the training received. Results Overall the device was perceived to be well-liked, acceptable, motivational and easy to use by participants. Some logistical changes were required during the feasibility study, including shortening of the study duration and relaxation of participant inclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics of weight and HbA1c data showed promising trends of weight loss and HbA1c reduction in both intervention groups, although this should be interpreted with caution. Conclusions A number of methodological recommendations for a future RCT emerged from the current feasibility study. The mHealth device was acceptable and promising for helping individuals with T2DM to reduce their HbA1c and lose weight. Devices with similar features should be tested further in larger studies which follow these methodological recommendations

Validity of sports watches when estimating energy expenditure during running

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of three different sport watches in estimating energy expenditure during aerobic and anaerobic running.Methods: Twenty trained subjects ran at different intensities while wearing three commercial sport watches (Suunto Ambit2, Garmin Forerunner920XT, and Polar V800). Indirect calorimetry was used as the criterion measure for assessing energy expenditure. Different formulas were applied to compute energy expenditure from the gas exchange values for aerobic and anaerobic running.Results: The accuracy of the energy expenditure estimations was intensity-dependent for all tested watches. During aerobic running (4–11 km/h), mean absolute percentage error values of -25.16% to +38.09% were observed, with the Polar V800 performing most accurately (stage 1: ?12.20%, stage 2: ?3.61%, and stage 3: -4.29%). The Garmin Forerunner920XT significantly underestimated energy expenditure during the slowest stage (stage 1: -25.16%), whereas, the Suunto Ambit2 significantly overestimated energy expenditure during the two slowest stages (stage 1: 38.09%, stage 2: 36.29%). During anaerobic running (14–17 km/h), all three watches significantly underestimated energy expenditure by -21.62% to -49.30%. Therefore, the error in estimating energy expenditure systematically increased as the anaerobic running speed increased.Conclusions: To estimate energy expenditure during aerobic running, the Polar V800 is recommended. By contrast, the other two watches either significantly overestimated or underestimated energy expenditure during most running intensities. The energy expenditure estimations generated during anaerobic exercises revealed large measurement errors in all tested sport watches. Therefore, the algorithms for estimating energy expenditure during intense activities must be improved before they can be used to monitor energy expenditure during high-intensity physical activities

Stato dell'arte sui dispositivi medici indossabili per il monitoraggio dei parametri vitali

I dispositivi indossabili (DI) per il monitoraggio dei parametri vitali sono utilizzati in ospedali, telemedicina e studi clinici per la rilevazione continua di tali parametri. Questi dispositivi sono indossabili, portatili, economicamente accessibili, dotati di hardware avanzato e algoritmi per l'analisi di dati. Essi facilitano l'identificazione e il monitoraggio di "biomarkers digitali". Una ricerca avanzata su PubMed, degli articoli pubblicati dal 2019 al 2023 a complemento di un precedente lavoro di revisione della letteratura, ha evidenziato un aumento esponenziale degli articoli scientifici riguardanti l'uso dei DI, dimostrando la loro efficacia nel supportare il lavoro medico e potenzialmente ridurre i costi della sanità

Eten digitala hausten: diabetes mellitus 2 diagnostikoa duten pertsonen auto-zainketaren hobekuntzan, smartphone teknologiek duten eraginkortasuna.

54 p. : il. -- Bibliogr.: p. 21-23Diabetes Mellitusa-ren (DM) intzidentziak urteekin goraka egin du kostu sanitario handia suposatuz, ez soilik diagnostiko momentuan, baita horren ostean pazienteetan ematen diren konplikazio eta ondorioengatik ere. Egoera honen aurrean, erizainek berebiziko garrantzia dute auto-zainketa jokabide egokiak garatzen laguntzeko, kalitatezko arreta integrala bermatuz. Egungo osasun testuingurua eta teknologiaren garapena aintzat hartuta, smartphone teknologiak aukera paregabea bezala aurkezten dira DM pairatzen duten pazienteen auto-zainketa hobetzeko

Eten digitala hausten: diabetes mellitus 2 diagnostikoa duten pertsonen auto-zainketaren hobekuntzan, smartphone teknologiek duten eraginkortasuna.

54 p. : il. -- Bibliogr.: p. 21-23Diabetes Mellitusa-ren (DM) intzidentziak urteekin goraka egin du kostu sanitario handia suposatuz, ez soilik diagnostiko momentuan, baita horren ostean pazienteetan ematen diren konplikazio eta ondorioengatik ere. Egoera honen aurrean, erizainek berebiziko garrantzia dute auto-zainketa jokabide egokiak garatzen laguntzeko, kalitatezko arreta integrala bermatuz. Egungo osasun testuingurua eta teknologiaren garapena aintzat hartuta, smartphone teknologiak aukera paregabea bezala aurkezten dira DM pairatzen duten pazienteen auto-zainketa hobetzeko

Internet Speed and the Effect on Health Information Technology Adoption

Background. The Internet has become pervasive in everyday life; the Pew Research Center reported over 84% of Americans use the Internet either on their phone or a computer. However, due to the methods by which the Internet was created, an Internet digital divide was created. The Internet digital divide is the disparity in access and speed of Internet of certain populations. This study looked into the disparity between urban and rural populations and their Internet access in two forms: e-prescriptions adoptions and Internet health information seeking behavior (HISB) through their mobile devices. Methods. This study used 4 datasets, the Health Information Trends Survey, Area Health Resource Files, Surescripts, and National Broadband Map to determine if there was a disparity related to Internet use between urban and rural populations. A logistic regression was used to determine if there was a disparity between urban and rural populations in mobile Internet based health information seeking behavior (IHISB). A multivariable regression analysis was conducted to determine if Internet speed was related to positive change in e-prescription adoption. Results. There were mixed results in the relationship of rurality to mobile IHISB use. Once community factors were accounted for, rurality was statistically insignificant. At the person level, the characteristics of income and age played a role in whether mobile IHISB occurred. Multivariable regression analysis showed that Internet speed played no role in e-prescription uptake. However, counties with higher percentage of insured patients and doctors aged under 55 are linked to positive changes in e-prescription adoption. Conclusion. Income and age seem to play a statistically significant role in IHISB use. This suggests that there is an access and experience issue at play. In addition, Internet speed plays an insignificant role in e-prescription adoption change. However, it seems individual level factors play a larger role in e-prescription adoptions. More research is needed to determine what impacts e-prescription adoption change

Additional file 2: of Feasibility study of portable technology for weight loss and HbA1c control in type 2 diabetes

In the file called ‘Additional File 2’ can be found the study’s “Weight loss amongst patients with Type 2 diabetes—Exit Questionnaire” it was an optional questionnaire sent to participants who elected to withdraw from the study. Used to identify reasons for withdrawing. (PDF 238 kb

Effects of online behavioural interventions for improving dietary habits in people who are overweight or obese: a focus on self-compassion, and goal setting

Overweight and obesity are universal health challenges. Some psychological factors, such as disordered eating, can negatively impact outcomes of nutrition programs. Recent evidence emphasises the potential benefits of self-compassion as a new approach to improve outcomes, through addressing these psychological factors and also through directly improvement of dietary habits. Online technologies that comprise goal-setting and self-monitoring have also shown promise in increasing healthy dietary behaviours. Therefore, this thesis details the feasibility and efficacy of two self-compassion, goal-setting and self-monitoring interventions on self-compassion, dietary habits and eating behaviours in people who were overweight or obese. First, evidence on the efficacy of self-compassion interventions on dietary habits, eating pathology and body weight was systematically reviewed. The review provided evidence that self-compassion could be beneficial for weight loss and for healthy dietary and eating behaviours. However, the number of the available studies was limited, and most had methodological limitations. The first study of this thesis examined the feasibility of a pilot, combined online and face-to-face self-compassion, goal-setting and self-monitoring intervention in people who were overweight or obese. The insights from this pilot study were then used to inform a subsequent randomised controlled trial (RCT). The intervention improved self-compassion and some aspects of dietary habits and eating behaviour. Participants appreciated the self-compassion and goal-setting strategies but believed that the intervention could have been simpler, more engaging and more tailored to individuals’ needs. The second study investigated the efficacy of an online RCT which built on the initial pilot study. Seventy-four participants (n=35 intervention and n=39 control) completed the 12-week trial. Results showed that self-compassion, some aspects of the dietary intake, anxiety and stress improved in the intervention group; but not in the control group. Eating pathology decreased in both the intervention and control groups. Together, the findings from this thesis suggest that an online self-compassion, goal-setting and self-monitoring intervention could improve self-compassion and some dietary and eating behaviours in people who are overweight and obese. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and examine the efficacy of an intervention over a longer period