A Technology-Enhanced Medical Nutrition Therapy and Diabetes Self-Management Education for Adults With Disability and Type 2 Diabetes: Protocol for a Pilot and Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious chronic disorder that affects many individuals globally, particularly persons with disabilities, and has long-term adverse effects on the health of individuals and society. Effective self-management education is therefore required. Diabetes management focused on medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and diabetes self-management education (DSME) combined with telehealth technology has the potential to increase the active performance of diabetes management behaviors among persons with disabilities and improve their overall quality of life and quality of self-care.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of different levels of technology on the delivery of MNT and DSME among persons with disabilities.

Methods: The study is a single-blinded, 3-arm, randomized controlled trial among adults living with both type 2 diabetes and a permanent physical disability. Web-based recruitment is done through partner organizations. The target sample size is 90 participants randomized into 3 arms: a high-technology, a low-technology, and an attention control arm. The high-technology arm receives diabetes-related materials weekly through mediums such as email, a telehealth platform, and text; the low-technology arm receives only 1 weekly email with diabetes-related material; and the attention control arm has no technology support. The intervention is provided by a certified diabetes care and education specialist. Using multivariate linear mixed models, the study examines the relationships between the level of technology intervention and DM self-management behaviors, self-efficacy, and reductions in glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c). The primary outcome is the proportion of participants in each group with improved self-management behaviors, as measured by several validated questionnaires. The secondary outcome is a better HbA_1c reduction. Outcomes are measured at baseline and at 6 months. Questionnaires and HbA_1c measures will be used to measure outcomes.

Results: Data collection began in June 2024 with a total of 90 recruited participants. The intervention was delivered. Make-up classes were delivered to participants in any of the 3 cohorts between November 2024 and December 2024. The final 3-month follow-up classes were held for each cohort 3 months after the first class. Data analysis is anticipated to be completed in fall 2025.

Conclusions: Effective self-management in DM is important to reduce complications. Using technology to deliver MNT and DSME could serve as an effective and convenient strategy for providing these interventions. However, intervention studies are required to determine the most effective level of technology for delivering MNT and DSME intervention to this target group. The YumABLE study is expected to provide new, meaningful, and detailed information about the effectiveness of technology and telehealth platforms for effectively delivering an MNT and DSME program for people living with a permanent physical disability and type 2 diabetes. The results will further improve web- and technology-based diabetes self-management interventions for people with disabilities.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06049225; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06049225.

International registered report identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/71495.