Welltang - A smart phone-based diabetes management application - Improves blood glucose control in Chinese people with diabetes

AimsThe primary objective was to evaluate the impact of the smart phone-based diabetes management application, Welltang, on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). The second objective was to measure whether Welltang improves blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, weight, blood pressure, hypoglycemic events, satisfaction of patients to use Welltang, diabetes knowledge of patients, and self-care behaviors.MethodsOne hundred evenly randomized subjects with diabetes, aged 18-74 years, were recruited from the outpatient Department of Endocrinology for a 3-month study. The Welltang intervention group received training for the use of Welltang, while the control group received their usual standard of care. HbA1c, blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, weight, blood pressure, hypoglycemic events, satisfaction of patients to use Welltang, diabetes knowledge of patients, and self-care behaviors were measured. Patient data were analyzed using independent t test and paired sample test using SPSS version 12.ResultsThe average decrease in HbA1c was 1.95% (21 mmol/mol) in the intervention group and 0.79% (8 mmol/mol) in the control group (P < 0.001). Measures of self-monitored blood glucose, diabetes knowledge, and self-care behaviors improved in patients in the intervention group. Eighty four percent of patients in the intervention group were satisfied with the use of Welltang. Differences in hypoglycemic events, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, weight, and blood pressure were not statistically significant.ConclusionDiabetes patients using the Welltang application achieved statistically significant improvements in HbA1c, blood glucose, satisfaction of patients to use of Welltang, diabetes knowledge, and self-care behaviors.