Effect of a traditional Chinese medicine theory-based mobile app on improving symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory-based mobile app on improving symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in China. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Ninety-seven patients with T2DM were enrolled and they were randomized into the control group and the experimental group. The control group was given usual diabetes education and follow-up with telephone call, while the experimental group was followed up by using the TCM theory-based mobile app. After 6-month intervention, the diabetic symptom scores, the blood glucose levels, and self-management ability of the two groups were compared. Results: Compared with intervention before, the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-h postprandial blood glucose (2hPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased in the control group (9.28 ± 3.05 vs. 8.26 ± 2.73 mmol/L, 12.65 ± 4.18 vs. 10.65 ± 3.79 mmol/L, and 8.78% ±1.76% vs. 7.96% ±1.47%, respectively, all P < 0.05) and also decreased in the experimental group (8.36 ± 2.64 vs. 7.35 ± 2.45 mmol/L, 11.50 ± 4.29 vs. 9.85 ± 2.71 mmol/L, and 8.64% ±2.04% vs. 7.29% ±1.56%, respectively, all P < 0.05) after 6-month intervention, while the summary of diabetes self-care activities (SDSCAs) scale scores after 6-month intervention increased significantly in the control group (35.20 ± 14.68 vs. 44.78 ± 10.21, P < 0.05) and the experimental group (32.16 ± 13.21 vs. 50.37 ± 10.06, P < 0.05). After 6-month intervention, the diabetic symptom scores (18.16 ± 2.74 vs. 22.18 ± 4.77) and HbA1c (7.29 ± 1.56% vs. 7.96% ±1.47%) were lower, and SDSCA scale scores (50.37 ± 10.06 vs. 44.78 ± 10.21) were higher in the experimental group than the control group (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: The mobile app based on TCM theory can effectively improve diabetes-related symptoms in patients with T2DM and help control their blood glucose as well as enhance their self-management ability.