With roughly 4.1 billion text messages sent each day in the United States, it’s clear that texts have become the preferred method of conversation for many Americans. It’s no surprise, then, to see the technology being put to use in the medical community.
According to a study in India, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes can be lowered by 36% in at-risk men if they receive 2-3 messages twice a week to remind them to make healthy food choices.
The study was conducted by Dr. Ambady Ramachandran and colleagues at the India Diabetes Research Foundation in Chennai, India.
“This is one of the first studies in the world to show that mobile technology can have an impact on clinical outcomes; it’s concrete evidence to show we could prevent diabetes,” Dr. Ramachandran said.
Using Texts to Prevent Diabetes
The research group screened about 8,000 men between the ages of 25 and 55 to determine who would qualify for the study. In order to be selected for the study, participants needed to have:
- A body mass index (BMI) of at least 23;
- A family history of diabetes;
- Possess a mobile phone; and
- Be able to read and understand written English.
Of the men surveyed, 537 were selected to participate in the research. The men were assigned to either the text messaging service group, or the standard care group. Men in both groups also received personalized education and motivation regarding healthy lifestyle choices.
For a period of two years, men in the messaging group received bi-weekly text alerts reminding them to make healthy food choices. On the days they received text messages, the participants would get 2-3 messages between 7:00 am and 9:00 am, and from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Between 60 and 80 computer generated text messages were systematically distributed so participants did not receive the same message within a 6-month period. Example messages advised adding physical activity, “use stairs instead of a lift,” and avoiding unhealthy diet choices, “avoid snacks while watching TV, you may overeat.”
Encouraging Results
Researchers noted that individuals in the text message group were much less likely to have developed type 2 diabetes after the two-year period. They found:
- 50 participants in the text message group developed type 2 diabetes, compared to 73 individuals in the control group.
- On average, one type 2 diabetes case was prevented for every 11 individuals who received the text messages.
- 95% of the individuals said the enjoyed receiving the text messages.
Desmond Johnston, senior author of the study, said he believes the text messages were successful because it simulated having frequent contact with a medical professional.
“We’ve known for years that you can prevent type 2 diabetes by modifying your lifestyle, but the problem is how to support people to do that,” said Johnston. “Frequent personal contact with a doctor is effective, but it’s very costly to provide. We’ve shown that you can achieve similar results using mobile phone messaging, which is a very low-cost solution.”
Ramachandran added that he hopes that the findings are considered on a worldwide level.
“We plan to carry out more studies in other populations, but there’s no reason why this strategy shouldn’t work anywhere else in the world.”
Related source: Medscape