Web-based telemedicine for management of type 2 diabetes through glucose uploads: a randomized controlled trial. Smart Care Based on Telemonitoring and Telemedicine for Type 2 Diabetes Care: Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Trial. An automated telemedicine system improves patient-reported well-being. Telemedicine improved diabetic management. Telemedicine in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Telemedicine influence on the follow-up of type 2 diabetes patients. A Telemedicine System That Includes a Personal Assistant Improves Glycemic Control in Pump-Treated Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Impact of a telemedicine system with automated reminders on outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Practical Telemedicine for Veterans with Persistently Poor Diabetes Control: A Randomized Pilot Trial. A comparison of diabetes education administered through telemedicine versus in person. Impact of remote management of diabetes via computer: the 360 study--a proof-of-concept randomized trial. A randomized controlled trial of the effect of real-time telemedicine support on glycemic control in young adults with type 1 diabetes (ISRCTN 46889446). Active Care Management Supported by Home Telemonitoring in Veterans With Type 2 Diabetes Use of an internet-based telemedicine system to manage underserved women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Real-time continuous glucose monitoring together with telemedical assistance improves glycemic control and glucose stability in pump-treated patients. Effect of hospital-based telephone coaching on glycaemic control and adherence to management guidelines in type 2 diabetes, a randomised controlled trial. The impact of nurse short message services and telephone follow-ups on diabetic adherence: which one is more effective?
AIMS To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a telemedicine system based on internet in the follow-up of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2DM ) . METHODS A prospect i ve r and omized telemedicine study with two parallel groups was design ed . 114 patients diagnosed T2DM were r and omly divided into telemedicine group and traditional face-to-face visit group as control . 57 cases were included for each group . 108 patients completed the trial , in which 53 cases in telemedicine group and 55 cases in control group . Patients in telemedicine group were taught to use telemedicine software to upload their blood glucose and other metabolic information at home at least every 2 weeks , and the research ers gave proper advices according to patients ' key behaviors . The telemedicine interval is 3 months . RESULTS Compared to control group , telemedicine group exhibited better HbA1c and fasting blood glucose controlling ( P < 0.05 ) . Moreover , telemedicine intervention decreased hypoglycemia risk ( P = 0.044 ) , and contributed to levels of HbA1c less than 7 % which is the target of our study ( P = 0.049 ) . CONCLUSIONS Telemedicine system can provide a tighter glycemic control for the treatment of T2DM patients , especially in cases with difficulties to access to the medical centre BACKGROUND This study was performed to determine the effectiveness of the Smart Care service on glucose control based on telemedicine and telemonitoring compared with conventional treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes . MATERIAL S AND METHODS This 24-week prospect i ve multi-center r and omized controlled trial involved 338 adult patients with type 2 diabetes at four university hospitals in South Korea . The patients were r and omly assigned to a control group ( group A , n = 113 ) , a telemonitoring group ( group B , n = 113 ) , or a telemedicine group ( group C , n = 112 ) . Patients in the telemonitoring group visited the outpatient clinic regularly , accompanied by an additional telemonitoring service that included remote glucose monitoring with automated patient decision support by text . Remote glucose monitoring was identical in the telemedicine group , but assessment by outpatient visits was replaced by video conferencing with an endocrinologist . RESULTS The adjusted net reductions in HbA1c concentration after 24 weeks were similar in the conventional , telemonitoring , and telemedicine groups ( -0.66 % ± 1.03 % vs. -0.66 % ± 1.09 % vs. -0.81 % ± 1.05 % ; p > 0.05 for each pairwise comparison ) . Fasting glucose concentrations were lower in the telemonitoring and telemedicine groups than in the conventional group . Rates of hypoglycemia were lower in the telemedicine group than in the other two groups , and compliance with medication was better in the telemonitoring and telemedicine than in the conventional group . No serious adverse events were associated with telemedicine . CONCLUSIONS Telehealthcare was as effective as conventional care at improving glycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes without serious adverse effects BACKGROUND Control of serum glucose levels is essential for the reduction of complications of diabetes . Telemedicine is one strategy through which serum glucose control can be improved . METHODS A total of 35 adult , insulin-treated patients with diabetes ( type 1 and type 2 ) were enrolled in the present study ( 63.0 + /- 10 years of age , 63 % female ) and r and omized to telemedicine monitoring ( including cordless , remote glucose monitor , and transmitter , n =  17  ) , or conventional follow-up ( n = 18 ) . Metabolic parameters were evaluated , and a quality of life question naire was administered both pre- and post-treatment . RESULTS Groups were similar at baseline in terms of demographic , quality of life , and metabolic parameters . Significant differences in post-treatment metabolic parameters were not observed , although serum glucose was marginally elevated in the control group compared to the telemedicine group ( 214 + /- 65 mg/dL vs. 171 + /- 77 mg/dL , P = 0.09 ) . On the other h and , being clinical ly symptom-free ( 71 % vs. 11 % , P = 0.003 ) , having no hypoglycemic events ( 82 % vs. 17 % , P = 0.0001 ) , and having no hyperglycemic events ( 65 % vs. 17 % , P = 0.004 ) were all significantly more frequently reported in the telemedicine group compared to the control group . Compared to the control group , the telemedicine group reported experiencing significantly less anxiety , treatment difficulty , depression , disease-associated life complications , and feelings of impotence or ineptitude and significantly greater improvement in personal control over glucose , weight , and overall diabetes . CONCLUSIONS Though post-treatment metabolic differences were not observed between treatment groups , the telemedicine group reported significantly greater post-treatment experiences of improved quality of life and sense of control over the disease . Thus patient satisfaction can be enhanced through the use of telemedicine Effective control of diabetes is known to delay or prevent the end-organ complications of this disease . Can telemedicine improve a patient 's ability to self-manage diabetes  ? Twenty-eight patients entered a study comparing home telemedicine consultation with st and ard outpatient care . A nurse case manager contacted the telemedicine group once a week under the direction of a primary care physician , who contacted the telemedicine group once a month . Laboratory studies and total body weight were measured at the beginning and at the end of the 3-month study . The hemoglobin A1c ( HbA1c ) and total body weight improved significantly in the intervention ( telemedicine ) group , as shown by a 16 % reduction in mean HbA1c level ( from 9.5 to 8.2 % ) and a 4 % mean weight reduction ( from 214.3 to 206.7 pounds ) . Based on our experience , we present a functionally based telemedicine classification system to improve the application of electronic medicine in future studies Objective To explore a model of Internet‐based integrated management of diabetes , we established a remote diabetes medical service platform ( U‐Healthcare ) and evaluated its effectiveness and practicality . Material s and Methods In total , 212 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were r and omly assigned to 2 groups . Data from the intervention group were automatically transmitted through a glucometer ; furthermore , this group received information regarding medicines , diet , exercise and other management through U‐Healthcare . The control group received conventional medical treatment without any additional intervention . All patients were regularly followed up every 3 months for half a year . Results At the 3‐month follow‐up , fasting plasma glucose levels of the intervention group were significantly lower than those at the baseline as well as those of the control group . Triglyceride levels of the intervention group were much lower than those at the baseline . At the 6‐month follow‐up , 2‐hour postpr and ial plasma glucose levels of the intervention group significantly improved compared with those of the control group . HbA1c levels gradually decreased every 3 months in the intervention group , and the mean change in the levels was significantly greater in this group than in the control group ( from 1.27‐0.68 % ) . At the end of the study , more than 80 % of the patients in the intervention group adhered to blood glucose monitoring 2‐3 days per week , and their compliance degree was 72 % . Conclusions The Internet‐based U‐Healthcare system of integrated management in diabetes not only achieved better glycemic control , effectively improved HbA1c levels and decreased triglyceride levels but also enhanced patients ’ adherence to the medical team 's instructions OBJECTIVE This study was design ed to evaluate the impact of a teleassistance system on the metabolic control of type 2 diabetes patients . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a 1-year controlled parallel-group trial comparing patients r and omized ( 1 ) to an intervention group , assigned to a teleassistance system using real-time transmission of blood glucose results , with immediate reply when necessary , and telephone consultations , or ( 2 ) to a control group , being regularly followed-up at their healthcare center . Study subjects were type 2 diabetes patients > 30 years of age followed in the primary care setting . RESULTS A total of 328 type 2 diabetes patients were recruited from 35 family practice s in the province of Málaga , Spain . There was a reduction in hemoglobin A1c after 12 months from 7.62 + /- 1.60 % to 7.40 + /- 1.43 % ( P = 0.027 ) in the intervention group and from 7.44 + /- 1.31 % to 7.35 + /- 1.38 % ( P = 0.303 ) in the control group . The difference in the change between groups was not statistically significant . There was also a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure , total cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol , and body mass index in the intervention group . In the control group , the only significant decline was in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol . CONCLUSIONS A teleassistance system using real-time transmission of blood glucose results with an option to make telephone consultations is feasible in the primary care setting as a support tool for family physicians in their follow-up of type 2 diabetes patients Background : The DIABTel system , a Web-based telemedicine application , integrates a whole communication system ( glucometer , insulin pump , wireless h and -held assistant ) for medical remote advice . We sought to evaluate , in terms of glycemic control , the DIABTel system in a r and omized crossover clinical study . Methods : Ten patients with type 1 diabetes [ 5 women , age 40.6 ( 21–62 ) years , diabetes duration 14.7 ( 3–52 ) years ] were included . During the 4-week active phase , data sent by patients were analyzed by the physician and modifications of the basal rate and bolus were advised in the following 24 hours . During the control phase , patients sent glucose data without any feedback from the medical center . Results : The mean numbers of daily glucose values and bolus sent by patients during the active period were 4.46 ± 0.91 and 4.58 ± 0.89 , respectively . The personal digital assistant functionalities used more frequently by patients were ( times per week ) data visualization ( 8.1 ± 6.8 ) , data download from the insulin pump ( 6.8 ± 3.3 ) , and synchronization with the telemedicine server ( 8.5 ± 4.9 ) . After the experimental phase , serum fructosamine decreased significantly ( 393 ± 32 vs 366 ± 25 μmol/liter ; p < 0.05 ) and hemoglobin A1c ( HbA1c ) tended to decrease ( 8.0 ± 0.6 vs 7.78 ± 0.6 ; p = 0.073 ) , whereas no changes were observed during the control phase . The number of treatment modifications proposed and performed by the patients correlated with the change observed in HbA1c during the active phase ( r = −0.729 , p = 0.017 ) . Conclusions : The DIABTel system , a telemedicine system that includes a wireless personal assistant for remote treatment advising , allows better glycemic control in pump-treated patients with type 1 diabetes . To our knowledge , this is the first study that demonstrates improved glycemic control with the use of a telemedicine system that incorporates insulin delivery data BACKGROUND Health information technology has been proven to be a successful tool for the management of patients with multiple medical conditions . The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an enhanced telemedicine system on glucose control and pregnancy outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus ( GDM ) . SUBJECTS AND METHODS We used an Internet-based telemedicine system to also allow interactive voice response phone communication between patients and providers and to provide automated reminders to transmit data . Women with GDM were r and omized to either the telemedicine group ( n=40 ) or the control group ( n=40 ) and asked to monitor their blood glucose levels four times a day . Women in the intervention group transmitted those values via the telemedicine system , whereas women in the control group maintained paper logbooks , which were review ed at prenatal visits . Primary outcomes were infant birth weight and maternal glucose control . Data collection included blood glucose records , transmission rates for the intervention group , and chart review . RESULTS There were no significant differences between the two groups ( telemedicine vs. controls ) in regard to maternal blood glucose values or infant birth weight . However , adding telephone access and reminders increased transmission rates of data in the intervention group compared with the intervention group in our previous study ( 35.6±32.3 sets of data vs.17.4±16.9 sets of data ; P<0.01 ) . CONCLUSIONS Our enhanced telemedicine monitoring system increased system utilization and contact between women with GDM and their healthcare providers but did not impact upon pregnancy outcomes BACKGROUND Telemedicine-based diabetes management improves outcomes versus clinic care but is seldom implemented by healthcare systems . In order to advance telemedicine-based management as a practical option for veterans with persistent poorly controlled diabetes mellitus ( PPDM ) despite clinic-based care , we evaluated a comprehensive telemedicine intervention that we specifically design ed for delivery using existing Veterans Health Administration ( VHA ) clinical staffing and equipment . MATERIAL S AND METHODS We conducted a 6-month r and omized trial among 50 veterans with PPDM ; all maintained hemoglobin A1c ( HbA1c ) levels continuously > 9.0 % for > 1 year despite clinic-based management . Participants received usual care or a telemedicine intervention combining telemonitoring , medication management , self-management support , and depression management ; existing VHA clinical staff delivered the intervention . Using linear mixed models , we examined HbA1c , diabetes self-care ( measured by the Self-Care Inventory-Revised question naire ) , depression , and blood pressure . RESULTS At baseline , the model-estimated common HbA1c intercept was 10.5 % . By 6 months , estimated HbA1c had improved by 1.3 % for intervention participants and 0.3 % for usual care ( estimated difference , -1.0 % , 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] , -2.0 % , 0.0 % ; p = 0.050 ) . Intervention participants ' diabetes self-care ( estimated difference , 7.0 ; 95 % CI , 0.1 , 14.0 ; p = 0.047 ) , systolic blood pressure ( -7.7 mm Hg ; 95 % CI , -14.8 , -0.6 ; p = 0.035 ) , and diastolic blood pressure ( -5.6 mm Hg ; 95 % CI , -9.9 , -1.2 ; p = 0.013 ) were improved versus usual care by 6 months . Depressive symptoms were similar between groups . CONCLUSIONS A comprehensive telemedicine intervention improved outcomes among veterans with PPDM despite clinic-based care . Because we specifically design ed this intervention with scalability in mind , it may represent a practical , real-world strategy to reduce the burden of poor diabetes control among veterans OBJECTIVE To determine whether diabetes education can be provided as effectively through telemedicine technology as through in-person encounters with diabetes nurse and nutrition educators . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 56 adults with diabetes were r and omized to receive  diabetes education in person ( control group ) or via telemedicine ( telemedicine group ) and were followed prospect ively . The education consisted of three consultative visits with diabetes nurse and nutrition educators . The in-person and telemedicine groups were compared using measures of glycemic control ( HbA(1c ) ) and question naires to assess patient satisfaction and psychosocial functioning as related to diabetes . Outcome measures were obtained at baseline , immediately after the completion of diabetes education , and 3 months after the third educational visit . RESULTS Patient satisfaction was high in the telemedicine group . Problem Areas in Diabetes scale scores improved significantly with diabetes education ( adjusted P < 0.05 , before vs. immediately after education and 3 months after education ) , and the attainment of behavior-change goals did not differ between groups . With diabetes education , HbA(1c ) improved from 8.6 + /- 1.8 % at baseline to 7.8 + /- 1.5 % immediately after education and 7.8 + /- 1.8 % 3 months after the third educational visit ( unadjusted P < 0.001 , P = 0.089 adjusted for BMI and age ) , with similar changes observed in the telemedicine and in-person groups . CONCLUSIONS Diabetes education via telemedicine and in person was equally effective in improving glycemic control , and both methods were well accepted by patients . Reduced diabetes-related stress was observed in both groups . These data suggest that telemedicine can be successfully used to provide diabetes education to patients BACKGROUND Previous studies have provided limited guidance regarding the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of interventions using " telemedicine " models in the management of diabetes mellitus . We conducted a study to determine if routine clinical assessment s of diabetes patients could be effectively conducted via computer and telephone interaction with patients and still provide clinical results similar to traditional office care . SUBJECTS AND METHODS We enrolled 100 subjects with diabetes in this 12-month , r and omized , controlled , non-inferiority study . Subjects were r and omized ( 1:1 ratio ) to a control group ( CG ) or study group ( SG ) . Baseline characteristics were similar . CG subjects participated in quarterly office visits ; SG subjects participated in two office visits ( months 6 and 12 ) and two telemedicine interactions ( months 3 and 9 ) . Changes in clinical measurements ( hemoglobin A1c [ HbA1c ] , blood pressure , lipids , body mass index [ BMI ] , and body weight ) and clinician time requirements were assessed . RESULTS Seventy subjects completed the study ( CG , n=37 ; SG , n=33 ) . No significant between-group differences in HbA1c , blood pressure , lipids , or BMI were seen at 12 months . SG subjects showed significantly greater reductions in mean ( SD ) body weight compared with CG subjects : -5.2 ( 1.6 ) pounds versus -0.7 ( 1.5 ) pounds , respectively ( P=0.04 ) . Clinician time requirements for SG subjects were reduced by > 40 % . CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that use of a telemedicine-based treatment protocol in diabetes patients is feasible and efficient and yields similar clinical outcomes compared with traditional , clinic-based protocol s. Telemedicine applications of computer software can potentially exp and access to care for patients and may reduce costs for patients , providers , and payers OBJECTIVE To determine whether a system of telemedicine support can improve glycemic control in type 1 diabetes . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A 9-month r and omized trial compared glucose self-monitoring real-time result transmission and feedback of results for the previous 24 h in the control group with real-time graphical phone-based feedback for the previous 2 weeks together with nurse-initiated support using a web-based graphical analysis of glucose self-monitoring results in the intervention group .  All patients aged 18 - 30 years with HbA(1c ) ( A1C ) levels of 8 - 11 % were eligible for inclusion . RESULTS A total of 93 patients ( 55 men ) with mean diabetes duration ( means + /- SD ) 12.1 + /- 6.7 years were recruited from a young adult clinic . In total , the intervention and control groups transmitted 29,765 and 21,400 results , respectively . The corresponding median blood glucose levels were 8.9 mmol/l ( interquartile range 5.4 - 13.5 ) and 10.3 mmol/l ( 6.5 - 14.4 ) ( P < 0.0001 ) . There was a reduction in A1C in the intervention group after 9 months from 9.2 + /- 1.1 to 8.6 + /- 1.4 % ( difference 0.6 % [ 95 % CI 0.3 - 1.0 ] ) and a reduction in A1C in the control group from 9.3 + /- 1.5 to 8.9 + /- 1.4 % ( difference 0.4 % [ 0.03 - 0.7 ] ) . This difference in change in A1C between groups was not statistically significant ( 0.2 % [ -0.2 to 0.7 , P = 0.3 ) . CONCLUSIONS Real-time telemedicine transmission and feedback of information about blood glucose results with nurse support is feasible and acceptable to patients , but to significantly improve glycemic control , access to real-time decision support for medication dosing and changes in diet and exercise may be required OBJECTIVE We compared the short-term efficacy of home telemonitoring coupled with active medication management by a nurse practitioner with a monthly care coordination telephone call on glycemic control in veterans with type 2 diabetes and entry A1C ≥7.5 % . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Veterans who received primary care at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System from June 2004 to December 2005 , who were taking oral hypoglycemic agents and /or insulin for ≥1 year , and who had A1C ≥7.5 % at enrollment were r and omly assigned to either active care management with home telemonitoring ( ACM+HT group , n = 73 ) or a monthly care coordination telephone call ( CC group , n = 77 ) . Both groups received monthly calls for diabetes education and self-management review . ACM+HT group participants transmitted blood glucose , blood pressure , and weight to a nurse practitioner using the Viterion 100 TeleHealth Monitor ; the nurse practitioner adjusted medications for glucose , blood pressure , and lipid control based on established American Diabetes Association targets . Measures were obtained at baseline , 3-month , and 6-month visits . RESULTS Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups , with mean A1C of 9.4 % ( CC group ) and 9.6 % ( ACM+HT group ) . Compared with the CC group , the ACM+HT group demonstrated significantly larger decreases in A1C at 3 months ( 1.7 vs. 0.7 % ) and 6 months ( 1.7 vs. 0.8 % ; P < 0.001 for each ) , with most improvement occurring by 3 months . CONCLUSIONS Compared with the CC group , the ACM+HT group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in A1C by 3 and 6 months . However , both interventions improved glycemic control in primary care patients with previously inadequate control BACKGROUND Internet technology has been proven to be a successful tool for the management of patients with multiple medical conditions . The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of monitoring glucose control in indigent women with gestational diabetes mellitus ( GDM ) over the Internet . METHODS Women with GDM were r and omized to either the Internet group ( n = 32 ) or the control group ( n = 25 ) . Patients in the Internet group were provided with computers and /or Internet access if needed . A website was established for documentation of glucose values and communication between the patient and the health care team . Women in the control group maintained paper logbooks , which were review ed at each prenatal visit . Maternal feelings of diabetes self-efficacy were assessed at study entry and again before delivery . RESULTS Women in the Internet group accessed the system and sent on average 21.8 ( + /- 16.9 ) sets of data . There was no difference between the two groups in regards either fasting or post-pr and ial blood glucose values , although more women in the Internet group received insulin therapy ( 31 % vs. 4 % ; P < 0.05 ) . There were also no significant differences in pregnancy and neonatal outcomes between the two groups . Women in the Internet group demonstrated significantly higher feelings of self-efficacy at the study 's end . CONCLUSIONS The benefit of monitoring blood glucose in indigent women with GDM via the Internet was limited by their infrequent use of the telemedicine system . Although system use was not associated with improved pregnancy outcomes , women in the telemedicine group did experience enhanced feelings of diabetes psychosocial self-efficacy BACKGROUND Real-time continuous glucose monitoring ( CGM ) has recently been incorporated into routine diabetes management because of the potential advantages it offers for glycemic control . The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of the use of real-time CGM together with a telemedicine system in hemoglobin A1c and glucose variability in patients with type 1 diabetes treated with insulin pumps . METHODS Ten patients ( five women , 41.2 [ range , 21 - 62 ] years old , duration of diabetes 14.9 [ range , 3 - 52 ] years ) were included in this r and omized crossover study . Patients used the DIABTel telemedicine system throughout the study , and real-time CGM was used for 3 days every week during the intervention phase . At the end of the control phase , a blind 3-day CGM was performed . Glucose variability was evaluated using the Glucose Risk Index ( GRI ) , a comparative analysis of continuous glucose values over two consecutive hours . RESULTS Hemoglobin A1c decreased significantly ( 8.1 + /- 1.1 % vs. 7.3 + /- 0.8 % ; P = 0.007 ) after the intervention phase , while no changes were observed during the control phase . The mean number of daily capillary glucose readings was higher during the intervention phase ( 4.7 + /- 1.1 vs. 3.8 + /- 1.0 ; P < 0.01 ) , because of an increase in r and om analyses ( 1.22 + /- 0.3 vs. 0.58 + /- 0.1 ; P < 0.01 ) , and there was also a significant increase in the mean number of bolus doses per day ( 5.23 + /- 1.1 vs. 4.4 + /- 0.8 ; P < 0.05 ) . The GRI was higher during the control phase than during the experimental phase ( 9.6 vs. 6.25 ; P < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Real-time CGM in conjunction with the DIABTel system improves glycemic control and glucose stability in pump-treated patients with type 1 diabetes BACKGROUND Failure to achieve treatment targets is common among people with type 2 diabetes . Cost-effective treatments are required to delay the onset and slow the progression of diabetes-related complications . AIMS This study aim ed to measure the effect of a 6-month telephone coaching intervention on glycaemic control , risk factor status and adherence to diabetes management practice s at the intervention 's conclusion ( 6 months ) and at 12 months . METHOD This r and omised controlled trial recruited 94 adults with type 2 diabetes and an HbA1C > 7 % from the Diabetes Clinic of St Vincent 's Hospital Melbourne . People who were non-English speaking , cognitively impaired , severely hearing impaired or without telephone access were excluded . Participants were r and omised to receive usual care plus 6 months of telephone coaching focusing on achieving treatment targets and complication screening , or usual care only . The primary outcome was HbA1C at 6 months ; secondary outcomes included other physiological and monitoring measures . RESULTS Significant interaction effects were observed between group and time at 6 months , demonstrating improvement in HbA1C , fasting glucose , diastolic blood pressure and physical activity . The intervention 's effect on these parameters was not sustained at 12 months . Intervention group participants also improved compliance with foot examinations and pneumococcal vaccination by 6 months and retinal screening by 12 months . CONCLUSIONS Telephone coaching improved glycaemic control and adherence to complication screening in people with type 2 diabetes , for the duration of its delivery , but these effects were not maintained on withdrawal of the intervention . Strategies that assist patients to sustain these benefits are required AIM To compare the effectiveness of two methods of follow-up : short message service and telephone follow-up on type 2 diabetes adherence for three months . BACKGROUND Using telemedicine approaches may preserve appropriate blood glucose levels and may improve adherence to diabetes control recommendations in diabetic patients . DESIGN A quasi-experimental , two-group , pretest and post-test design was used in this study to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse 's follow-up via cellular phones and telephones . METHODS The sample consisted of 77 patients with type 2 diabetes that r and omly were assigned to two groups : telephone follow-up ( n = 39 ) and short message service ( n = 38 ) . Telephone interventions were applied by a research er for three months ; twice a week for the first month and every week for the second and third month . For three successive months , the short message service group that received messages about adherence to therapeutic regimen was examined . The data gathering instrument included data sheets - to record glycosylated haemoglobin - and the question naire related to adherence therapeutic regimen . Data gathering was carried out at the beginning of the study and after three and six months . The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistic methods with SPSS version 11.5 . RESULTS Results showed that both interventions had significant mean changes in glycosylated haemoglobin . For the telephone group ( p < 0.001 ) , a mean change of -0.93 and for the short message service group ( p < 0.001 ) , a mean change of -1.01 . There was no significant difference in diet adherence ( p = 0.000 ) , physical exercise ( p = 0.000 ) and medication taking ( p = 0.000 ) adherence in either groups . CONCLUSION Intervention using short message services of cellular phones and nurse-led-telephone follow-up improved HbA1c levels and adherence to diabetes therapeutic regimen for three months in type 2 diabetic patients . RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Both of follow-up intervention uses in this study can decrease HbA1c levels and escalate adherence to diabetes control recommendations in people with type 2 diabetes for three months
The review indicates that most telemedicine strategies can be useful , either as an adjunct or to replace usual care , leading to clinical ly meaningful reduction in HbA1c
The effects of telemedicine strategies on the management of diabetes is not clear .
This study aim ed to investigate the impact of different telemedicine strategies on glycaemic control management of type 2 diabetes patients .