The Impact of a Digital Peer-Supported App on Daily Steps and Lifestyle Changes Among Individuals With Prediabetes and Early-Stage Type 2 Diabetes: Prospective, Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Physical activity is a simple, low-risk intervention that could be integrated into daily life to improve glycemic control in individuals with prediabetes and early-stage type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, maintaining physical activity remains challenging, even when its benefits are well understood. Although digital peer support has the potential to promote and maintain physical activity, its effectiveness has not yet been sufficiently established.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the impact of a digital peer-supported app on daily step goal achievement and average daily step counts among individuals with prediabetes and early-stage T2DM.

METHODS

This 3-month, prospective, nonrandomized controlled trial recruited participants aged 40-79 years with prediabetes or early-stage T2DM. The participants were divided into a digital peer-supported app group and a control group. The digital peer-supported app group tracked their daily steps, shared their progress with small peer groups, and received real-time feedback and support within the app. The control group tracked their steps individually using a pedometer. The primary outcome was the achievement rate of daily step goals. Secondary outcomes included the average daily step count, BMI, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c level, blood pressure, and self-reported lifestyle behaviors.

RESULTS

A total of 32 participants (digital peer-supported app group: n=18 and control group: n=14) completed the study. The digital peer-supported app group reported a significantly higher median daily step goal achievement rate (57.2%, IQR 32.2%-90% vs 26.7%, IQR 10%-64.4%; P=.04) and daily step count (6854, IQR 4846-10388 steps vs 3946, IQR 3176-6832 steps; P<.03) compared to the control group. No significant differences were observed in glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels, blood pressure, BMI, or lifestyle behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings inform research in this field by suggesting that a digital peer-supported app may support daily step goal achievement and increase step counts among individuals with prediabetes and early-stage T2DM over the 3-month study period. The digital peer-supported app facilitated real-time feedback, peer approval, and continuous engagement to support participation in light physical activity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR UMIN000039466; https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000044999.