Using Mobile Health (mHealth) Technology in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus, Physical Inactivity, and Smoking

Abstract

The mHealth intervention used depends on the availability of resources. While developing countries are often restricted to text messages, more resourceful settings are shifting towards mobile phone applications and wearable technology. Diabetes mellitus has been extensively studied in different settings, and results have been encouraging. Tools utilized to increase physical activity are expensive, and studies have been limited to resource-abundant areas and have shown mixed results. Smoking cessation has had promising initial results with the use of technology, but mHealth's ability to recruit participants beyond those actively seeking to quit has not been established. mHealth interventions appear to be a potential tool in improving control of cardiovascular risk factors that rely on individuals making healthy lifestyle choices. Data related to clinical impact, if any, of commercially available tools is lacking. More studies are needed to assess interventions that target multiple cardiovascular risk factors and their impact on hard cardiovascular outcomes.

Challenges for the adoption of ICT for diabetes self‐management in South Africa

“…Research describing the use of ICT as an enabler for self‐management of tasks performed by the patient includes the use of the internet (47%), mobile phones (32%), telemedicine (12%), and decision support techniques (9%) (El‐Gayar, Timsina, Nawar, & Eid, ). ICT tools can be used to address risk factors such as tobacco use, diet, and physical inactivity (World Health Organization, ; Zhao et al, ), through the use of lifestyle modification interventions to increase physical activity and reduce smoking, for example (Rehman et al, ). There are several examples of how ICTs may be beneficial for diabetes self‐management.…”

A Roadmap on the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Among People Living With Diabetes

“…Lastly, health care systems and clinicians can leverage mHealth interventions to not only improve diabetes control, but also to control various cardiovascular risk factors commonly present in people with diabetes such as physical inactivity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking. Early studies (including those performed in low-and middle-income countries) appear promising, but long-term studies are urgently needed [114,115].…”

Physical Activity Patterns and Perceptions among Type 2 Diabetic and Non-diabetic Portuguese

“…Otherwise they are inefficient. -Primary care practitioners can play a key role in promoting PAamong diabetics, both delivering adequate information and encouraging diabetics to become more active (20). Consider that PA promotion based on technology must be viewed as a potential solution of delivering tailored information.…”