A new study from Texas A&M University School of Public Health found that virtual programs to help people manage type 2 diabetes improved their blood sugar levels (measured by hemoglobin A1c) over six months. This study included people living in both rural and urban areas.
What did the study do?
Researchers tested three types of virtual programs to see which one worked best:
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A structured program with online lessons and one-on-one counseling with a nurse or dietitian.
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A smartphone app with tips on diabetes care and access to a coach for support.
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A combination of both the structured program and the app.
They studied 189 adults from 46 counties in Texas, all with high blood sugar levels. Most participants were around 52 years old, with 23% being men and 35% living in rural areas.
What did they find?
All three programs helped lower blood sugar levels, and none of the programs stood out as significantly better than the others. Importantly, the improvements stayed even after six months.
Older adults saw bigger improvements than younger ones, and people who were healthier at the start also had better results. About 90% of participants stayed in the study for the full six months, which is a higher rate than in similar studies.
What’s the takeaway?
This shows that virtual programs can be effective for managing type 2 diabetes, even when delivered online. However, the study had some limitations—like only including English speakers with access to technology in Texas.
Still, researchers believe this kind of program could help many people, especially those with limited access to healthcare.
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