Use of Short Message Services (SMS) for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objectives. The primary objective is to determine if 3 times a week SMS will improve adherence to diet and exercise. The secondary objective is to determine the mean change in body weight, body mass index and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Methodology. This is an open-randomized controlled trial conducted for 6 months which included 104 subjects. Z test of two proportions was used to determine difference in dietary and exercise adherence. Mean change in body weight, BMI and HbA1c were also determined. • After 3 months, significant difference is observed in mean HbA1c (SMS= 7.13 + 0.99, control= 7.53 + 0.91, p=0.034). At 6 months, significant difference is seen in mean number of meals/day (SMS=2.61 + 0.63, control= 2.29 + 0.72, p= 0.018), mean number of minutes/exercise (SMS= 37.40 + 14.87, control=31.44 + 10.82, p= 0.021) and mean HbA1c (SMS=6.99 + 0.86, control= 7.34 + 0.90, p= 0.0452). Conclusion. The use of SMS as an adjunct to the standard of DM care improved adherence to diet after 6 months in terms of mean number of meals, improved adherence to exercise after 6 months in terms of mean number of minutes/exercise and significant reduction in HbA1c levels after 3 and 6 months.