Evaluation of a lifestyle intervention for women with gestational diabetes mellitus based on the medical internet of things: a randomized controlled trial with mid-sample verification.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of lifestyle intervention using a self-management model based on the medical Internet of Things (mIoT) for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

240 eligible participants were initially enrolled, with 225 completing the trial (116 in the intervention group, 109 in the control group) due to 15 dropouts (4 in the intervention, 11 in the control) caused by delivery at non-study hospitals. The control group regularly received the lifestyle interventions. The intervention group received the same interventions based on mIoT. Data on glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism were collected at 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the intervention and pre-delivery at the admission. Maternal and infant outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

After the intervention, the fast blood glucose (FBG) and weight gain in the intervention group were significantly decreased than those in the control group. The glucose-metabolism indexes and lipid metabolism indexes were significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group. The rates of preeclampsia, preterm birth, neonatal hypoglycemia, and fetal macrosomia were also significantly lower in the intervention group than those in the control group.

CONCLUSION

The lifestyle intervention based on the medical Internet of things could improve the compliance and effectiveness of self-management in women with gestational diabetes mellitus, and it had a good clinical effect on their metabolic status in terms of blood glucose and lipids in late pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes.