Web-Based Interventions for Depression in Individuals with Diabetes: Review and Discussion

Efficacy of a Blended Low-Intensity Internet-Delivered Psychological Program in Patients With Multimorbidity in Primary Care: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Multimorbidity is a highly prevalent phenomenon whose presence causes a profound physical, psychological, and economic impact. It hinders help seeking, diagnosis, quality of care, and adherence to treatment, and it poses a significant dilemma for present-day health care systems.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of improved treatment as usual (iTAU) combined with a blended low-intensity psychological intervention delivered using information and communication technologies for the treatment of multimorbidity (depression and type 2 diabetes or low back pain) in primary care settings.

METHODS

A 2-armed, parallel-group, superiority randomized controlled trial was designed for this study. Participants diagnosed with depression and either type 2 diabetes or low back pain (n=183) were randomized to "intervention + iTAU" (combining a face-to-face intervention with a supporting web-based program) or "iTAU" alone. The main outcome consisted of a standardized composite score to consider (1) severity of depressive symptoms and (2a) diabetes control or (2b) pain intensity and physical disability 3 months after the end of treatment as the primary end point. Differences between the groups were estimated using mixed effects linear regression models, and mediation evaluations were conducted using path analyses to evaluate the potential mechanistic role of positive and negative affectivity and openness to the future.

RESULTS

At 3-month follow-up, the intervention + iTAU group (vs iTAU) exhibited greater reductions in composite multimorbidity score (B=-0.34, 95% CI -0.64 to -0.04; Hedges g=0.39) as well as in depression and negative affect and improvements in perceived health, positive affect, and openness to the future. Similar positive effects were observed after the intervention, including improvements in physical disability. No significant differences were found in glycosylated hemoglobin, pain intensity, or disability at 3-month follow-up (P=.60; P=.79; and P=.43, respectively). Path analyses revealed that the intervention had a significant impact on the primary outcome, mediated by both positive and negative affect (positive affect: indirect effect=-0.15, bootstrapped 95% CI -0.28 to -0.03; negative affect: indirect effect=-0.14, bootstrapped 95% CI -0.28 to -0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports the efficacy of a low-intensity psychological intervention applied in a blended format on multimorbidity in primary care. It justifies the exploration of the conceptualization of depression in type 2 diabetes as well as the analysis of the implementation of such interventions in routine clinical practice.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03426709; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03426709.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

RR2-10.1186/S12888-019-2037-3.

Acceptance of smart sensing, its determinants, and the efficacy of an acceptance-facilitating intervention in people with diabetes: results from a randomized controlled trial

Background

Mental health problems are prevalent among people with diabetes, yet often under-diagnosed. Smart sensing, utilizing passively collected digital markers through digital devices, is an innovative diagnostic approach that can support mental health screening and intervention. However, the acceptance of this technology remains unclear. Grounded on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), this study aimed to investigate (1) the acceptance of smart sensing in a diabetes sample, (2) the determinants of acceptance, and (3) the effectiveness of an acceptance facilitating intervention (AFI).

Methods

A total of N = 132 participants with diabetes were randomized to an intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG). The IG received a video-based AFI on smart sensing and the CG received an educational video on mindfulness. Acceptance and its potential determinants were assessed through an online questionnaire as a single post-measurement. The self-reported behavioral intention, interest in using a smart sensing application and installation of a smart sensing application were assessed as outcomes. The data were analyzed using latent structural equation modeling and t-tests.

Results

The acceptance of smart sensing at baseline was average (M = 12.64, SD = 4.24) with 27.8% showing low, 40.3% moderate, and 31.9% high acceptance. Performance expectancy (γ = 0.64, p < 0.001), social influence (γ = 0.23, p = .032) and trust (γ = 0.27, p = .040) were identified as potential determinants of acceptance, explaining 84% of the variance. SEM model fit was acceptable (RMSEA = 0.073, SRMR = 0.059). The intervention did not significantly impact acceptance (γ = 0.25, 95%-CI: -0.16-0.65, p = .233), interest (OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.38-1.52, p = .445) or app installation rates (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.47-2.73, p = .777).

Discussion

The high variance in acceptance supports a need for acceptance facilitating procedures. The analyzed model supported performance expectancy, social influence, and trust as potential determinants of smart sensing acceptance; perceived benefit was the most influential factor towards acceptance. The AFI was not significant. Future research should further explore factors contributing to smart sensing acceptance and address implementation barriers.

Technology-Supported Integrated Care Innovations to Support Diabetes and Mental Health Care: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

For individuals living with diabetes and its psychosocial comorbidities (eg, depression, anxiety, and distress), there remains limited access to interprofessional, integrated care that includes mental health support, education, and follow-up. Health technology, broadly defined as the application of organized knowledge or skill as software, devices, and systems to solve health problems and improve quality of life, is emerging as a means of addressing these gaps. There is thus a need to understand how such technologies are being used to support, educate, and help individuals living with co-occurring diabetes and mental health distress or disorder.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this scoping review was to (1) describe the literature on technology-enabled integrated interventions for diabetes and mental health; (2) apply frameworks from the Mental Health Commission of Canada and World Health Organization to elucidate the components, type, processes, and users of technology-enabled integrated interventions for diabetes and mental health; and (3) map the level of integration of interventions for diabetes and mental health.

METHODS

We searched 6 databases from inception to February 2022 for English-language, peer-reviewed studies of any design or type that used technology to actively support both diabetes and any mental health distress or disorder in succession or concurrently among people with diabetes (type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes). Reviewers screened citations and extracted data including study characteristics and details about the technology and integration used.

RESULTS

We included 24 studies described in 38 publications. These studies were conducted in a range of settings and sites of care including both web-based and in-person settings. Studies were mostly website-based (n=13) and used technology for wellness and prevention (n=16) and intervention and treatment (n=15). The primary users of these technologies were clients and health care providers. All the included intervention studies (n=20) used technology for clinical integration, but only 7 studies also used the technology for professional integration.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this scoping review suggest that there is a growing body of literature on integrated care for diabetes and mental health enabled by technology. However, gaps still exist with how to best equip health care professionals with the knowledge and skills to offer integrated care. Future research is needed to continue to explore the purpose, level, and breadth of technology-enabled integration to facilitate an approach to overcome or address care fragmentation for diabetes and mental health and to understand how health technology can further drive the scale-up of innovative integrated interventions.

Internet-based Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for depressive symptomatology in individuals with type 1 diabetes (WEB_TDDI1 study): A randomized controlled trial protocol

Background

Professionals need adequate tools to help patients with diabetes and depression. Although web programs integrating cognitive-behavioral therapy with diabetes education have shown good results, no similar approach has been performed as yet in Spain. The objective is to develop an Internet-based program for the treatment of mild-moderate depressive symptomatology in individuals with type 1 diabetes (WEB_TDDI1 study) based on Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and assess its results.

Methods

A 2-arm randomized controlled trial will be conducted. Adults with type 1 diabetes and mild-moderate depressive symptoms will be screened to participate in the study and randomly assigned to either the treatment group (TG) that will use a Web-based application for a specific 9-week intervention in depression and type 1 diabetes or the control group (CG) that will be on the waiting list during that time.

Results

Data on the primary variable (depressive symptoms) and secondary variables (treatment-related distress, anxiety, fear of hypoglycemia, quality of life, treatment adherence, coping strategies and glycemic control) will be collected from the TG at the beginning/baseline, at the end of treatment and at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. The CG will be assessed at the beginning and at the end of the TG intervention. On completion of the program by the TG, the treatment will then be carried out in the CG.

Conclusions

The new web application developed is expected to be effective for the treatment of mild-moderate depressive symptoms in adults with type 1 diabetes, reducing depressive symptoms and improving the rest of the analyzed variables.

Trial registration

Registry: NCT03473704 (March 21, 2018); ClinicalTrials.gov.

Effectiveness of eHealth-Based Psychological Interventions for Depression Treatment in Patients With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Comorbidity between diabetes mellitus and depression is highly prevalent. The risk of depression in a person with diabetes is approximately twice that of a person without this disease. Depression has a major impact on patient well-being and control of diabetes. However, despite the availability of effective and specific therapeutic interventions for the treatment of depression in people with diabetes, 50% of patients do not receive psychological treatment due to insufficient and difficult accessibility to psychological therapies in health systems. The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has therefore been proposed as a useful tool for the delivery of psychological interventions, but it continues to be a field in which scientific evidence is recent and controversial. This systematic review aims to update the available information on the efficacy of psychological interventions delivered through ICTs to improve depressive symptomatology in patients with diabetes.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed following the PRISMA guidelines and using MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases to search for randomized clinical trials of eHealth treatments for patients with diabetes and comorbid depression from 1995 through 2020. In addition, studies related to follow-up appointments were identified. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) randomized clinical trials (RCTs); (b) patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes; (c) adult population over 18 years of age; (d) presence of depressive symptomatology assessed with standardized instruments; (e) treatments for depression based on established psychotherapeutic techniques and principles; (f) delivered through eHealth technologies. We did not limit severity of depressive symptomatology, delivery setting or comparison group (treatment as usual or other treatment). Two coauthors independently reviewed the publications identified for inclusion and extracted data from the included studies. A third reviewer was involved to discuss discrepancies found. The PEDro scale was used to assess the quality of the RCTs. No meta-analysis of the results was performed. The protocol used for this review is available in PROSPERO (Reg; CRD42020180405).

RESULTS

The initial search identified 427 relevant scientific publications. After removing duplicates and ineligible citations, a total of 201 articles were analyzed in full text. Ten articles met the criteria of this review and were included, obtaining very good scientific quality after evaluation with the PEDro scale. The main results show that the eHealth psychological intervention for depression in patients with diabetes showed beneficial effects both at the end of treatment and in the short (3 months) and long term (6 and 12 months) for the improvement of depressive symptomatology. The methodology used (type of diabetes, eHealth technology used, recruitment context, implementation and follow-up) was very heterogeneous. However, all studies were based on cognitive-behavioral tools and used standardized assessment instruments to evaluate depressive symptomatology or diagnosis of MDD. Glycemic control was assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin, but no benefits were found in improving glycemic control. Only four studies included psychoeducational content on diabetes and depression, but none used tools to improve or enhance adherence to medical prescriptions or diabetes self-care.

CONCLUSIONS

ICT-based psychological interventions for the treatment of depression in people with diabetes appear to be effective in reducing depressive symptomatology but do not appear to provide significant results with regard to glycemic control. Nonetheless, the scientific evidence reported to date is still very limited and the methodology very diverse. In addition, no studies have implemented these systems in routine clinical practice, and no studies are available on the economic analysis of these interventions. Future research should focus on studying and including new tools to ensure improvements in diabetes outcomes and not only on psychological well-being in order to advance knowledge about these treatments. Economic evaluations should also be undertaken to analyze whether these treatment programs implemented using eHealth technologies are cost-effective.

Feasibility and user experience of the unguided web-based self-help app 'MyDiaMate' aimed to prevent and reduce psychological distress and fatigue in adults with diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Psychological distress and fatigue are common in persons with diabetes, adversely affecting quality of life and complicating diabetes self-management. Offering diabetes-specific self-guided cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be helpful for persons with diabetes and mild symptoms of psychological distress and fatigue. We are the first to test the feasibility and user experiences of a web-based self-help app called 'MyDiaMate' in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

MyDiaMate was developed in close collaboration with persons with diabetes and professionals, building on elements from existing (guided) diabetes-specific CBT interventions. The study was advertised, offering free access to the app for adults with diabetes for a period of three months. Feasibility and user experiences were tested in a non-randomized study with pre- and post- measurements and interviews in a small sample.. In addition usage of the app was studied using log-data..

RESULTS

In total N = 55 adults with diabetes signed up for the study. Mean age was M = 42.7 (SD = 15.6), mostly women (n = 39, 70.9%), higher educated (n = 36, 65.5%), and diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (n = 37, 67.3%). About half reported current or a history of psychological complaints. All the participants completed baseline assessments, and n = 32 participants (58%) completed the follow-up questionnaire. Main reasons for participating in the study were: to preserve or improve mental fitness (40.6%), curiosity (25.0%) and wanting to contribute to research (34.4%). No major technical issues were encountered in accessing or using the app. The app was opened at least once by n = 51 participants, median use of the modules was 28 min (1-80) within a period of 1 to 92 days (median = 10). Almost all participants (n = 50, 98.0%) opened the basic module 'Diabetes in balance', of whom 32 (62.7%) completed this module. 'My mood' and 'My energy' were opened by n = 40 (78.4%) and n = 32 (62.7%) participants, respectively, and completed by n = 21 (52.5%) and n = 9 (28.1%) of the participants. Of all participants, 40.6% would recommend the app to others living with diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed the feasibility of MyDiaMate as a diabetes-specific self-guided app for adults wishing to preserve or improve their psychological health. While user experiences were overall positive, further tailoring the content to individual needs and preferences could enhance uptake, usage and appreciation. Future research should explore its effectiveness in a randomized controlled trial.

Review: Type 2 diabetes in Latin America and the Caribbean: Regional and country comparison on prevalence, trends, costs and expanded prevention

PURPOSE

To present an overview of type 2 diabetes status in Latin America and the Caribbean region.

METHODS

The data were collected from the International Diabetes Federation Atlas and other available published sources where we identified the prevalence in Latin America and the Caribbean, the trends by regions, and sex. Also, we summarized the type 2 diabetes direct and indirect costs, and the current preventative programs and policies available for each region.

RESULTS

Latin America and the Caribbean has one of the fastest-growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes, in particular the Caribbean region. Costs are relatively high in Central American countries and the Caribbean Islands. Currently, type 2 diabetes prevention, diagnosis, and management are insufficient in Latin America and the Caribbean and they do not offer a multidisciplinary integrative approach.

CONCLUSION

Effective and preventive multidisciplinary policies should be implemented in Latin America and the Caribbean to decrease the high burden of type 2 diabetes.

Involving patients' perspective in the development of an internet- and mobile-based CBT intervention for adolescents with chronic medical conditions: Findings from a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

A user-centered approach is critical for increasing the adherence to and effectiveness of an internet- and mobile-based intervention program. Therefore, potential future intervention users were involved in the development of an internet- and mobile-based cognitive behavioral therapy program (iCBT) for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with chronic medical conditions and comorbid symptoms of anxiety or depression. We aimed to identify challenges and coping strategies of the intended target group, as well as their needs and preferred intervention characteristics for an iCBT program.

METHODS

Twenty AYA (aged 14-20, 60% females) with either type 1 diabetes (55%), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (25%) or cystic fibrosis (20%) were interviewed in condition-specific focus groups (4-11 participants per group) either via videoconferencing or face-to-face. Transcript verbatim data was analyzed using content analysis.

RESULTS

Frequently reported disease-specific burdens were among others fear of disease progression, non-acceptance of disease and stressful incidents related to and aversions against medical therapy. Most frequently reported coping strategies included, seeking social support and accepting the disease. Recommendations for the content of an iCBT for comorbid symptoms of anxiety and depression comprised: dealing with disease-related fears and getting advice on health-promoting lifestyles. iCBT characteristics considered preferable by participants were: providing individual feedback by a real-person; implementation of a feature to monitor treatment progress; youthful and varied content presentation; time per session not exceeding 1 h; non-involvement of parents. A mobile-based reminder feature was considered useful, and individual tailoring and self-determination of iCBT content was considered desirable.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight important patient perspectives and age-specific recommendations which can help design more optimal iCBT interventions for AYA with chronic medical conditions.

A Scoping Review and General User's Guide for Facilitating the Successful Use of eHealth Programs for Diabetes in Clinical Care

The vast eHealth literature in diabetes can provide a useful foundation to aid in the selection, adoption, and implementation of eHealth methodologies in clinical care. Despite clear potential to enhance reach, efficiency, and clinical effectiveness, research has yielded mixed and often contradictory results, and wide-spread adoption and maintenance of eHealth programs in clinical care has been limited. Furthermore, few reports have identified the unique challenges that clinicians and health systems face when attempting to incorporate eHealth systems into clinical care. To address these gaps, we address two goals in this report: first, to summarize and integrate the major findings of the diabetes-related eHealth literature based on currently available systematic and narrative reviews; and second, based on the review, to provide practical guidelines to assist clinicians and health systems in selecting and implementing eHealth programs into diabetes care using dissemination and implementation science principles and perspectives.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy for a variety of conditions: an overview of systematic reviews and panoramic meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cognitive-behavioural therapy aims to increase quality of life by changing cognitive and behavioural factors that maintain problematic symptoms. A previous overview of cognitive-behavioural therapy systematic reviews suggested that cognitive-behavioural therapy was effective for many conditions. However, few of the included reviews synthesised randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES

This project was undertaken to map the quality and gaps in the cognitive-behavioural therapy systematic review of randomised controlled trial evidence base. Panoramic meta-analyses were also conducted to identify any across-condition general effects of cognitive-behavioural therapy.

DATA SOURCES

The overview was designed with cognitive-behavioural therapy patients, clinicians and researchers. The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and OpenGrey databases were searched from 1992 to January 2019.

REVIEW METHODS

Study inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) fulfil the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination criteria; (2) intervention reported as cognitive-behavioural therapy or including one cognitive and one behavioural element; (3) include a synthesis of cognitive-behavioural therapy trials; (4) include either health-related quality of life, depression, anxiety or pain outcome; and (5) available in English. Review quality was assessed with A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR)-2. Reviews were quality assessed and data were extracted in duplicate by two independent researchers, and then mapped according to condition, population, context and quality. The effects from high-quality reviews were pooled within condition groups, using a random-effect panoramic meta-analysis. If the across-condition heterogeneity was I2 < 75%, we pooled across conditions. Subgroup analyses were conducted for age, delivery format, comparator type and length of follow-up, and a sensitivity analysis was performed for quality.

RESULTS

A total of 494 reviews were mapped, representing 68% (27/40) of the categories of the International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision, Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. Most reviews (71%, 351/494) were of lower quality. Research on older adults, using cognitive-behavioural therapy preventatively, ethnic minorities and people living outside Europe, North America or Australasia was limited. Out of 494 reviews, 71 were included in the primary panoramic meta-analyses. A modest effect was found in favour of cognitive-behavioural therapy for health-related quality of life (standardised mean difference 0.23, 95% confidence interval 0.05 to 0.41, prediction interval -0.05 to 0.50, I2 = 32%), anxiety (standardised mean difference 0.30, 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.43, prediction interval -0.28 to 0.88, I2 = 62%) and pain (standardised mean difference 0.23, 95% confidence interval 0.05 to 0.41, prediction interval -0.28 to 0.74, I2 = 64%) outcomes. All condition, subgroup and sensitivity effect estimates remained consistent with the general effect. A statistically significant interaction effect was evident between the active and non-active comparator groups for the health-related quality-of-life outcome. A general effect for depression outcomes was not produced as a result of considerable heterogeneity across reviews and conditions.

LIMITATIONS

Data extraction and analysis were conducted at the review level, rather than returning to the individual trial data. This meant that the risk of bias of the individual trials could not be accounted for, but only the quality of the systematic reviews that synthesised them.

CONCLUSION

Owing to the consistency and homogeneity of the highest-quality evidence, it is proposed that cognitive-behavioural therapy can produce a modest general, across-condition benefit in health-related quality-of-life, anxiety and pain outcomes.

FUTURE WORK

Future research should focus on how the modest effect sizes seen with cognitive-behavioural therapy can be increased, for example identifying alternative delivery formats to increase adherence and reduce dropout, and pursuing novel methods to assess intervention fidelity and quality.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42017078690.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 25, No. 9. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Intervention on Improving Glycaemic, Psychological, and Physiological Outcomes in Adult Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a high risk of secondary physiological and psychological complications. Some interventions based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have been used to control glucose levels and improve negative emotions of patients with DM. This study was undertaken to provide an overview of the effectiveness of CBT-based interventions for improving glycaemic control, psychological, and physiological outcomes in adult patients with DM.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English and Chinese during 2007 and April 2019 were searched through various electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and the Chinese databases (WanFang data and China National Knowledge Infrastructure). The primary outcome variables included glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), depression, and anxiety symptoms. The secondary outcomes were weight and cholesterol. Effect sizes were pooled by random-effects modelling using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. Physiotherapy Evidence Database tool was used to assess the quality of all included studies.

RESULTS

Twenty-three RCTs comprising 2,619 patients with DM (type 1 and type 2) were included in at least one meta-analysis. The results of the main analysis showed that CBT-based interventions had a better effect on reduced HbA1c (-0.275%, 95% CI: -0.443 to -0.107; p < 0.01) with Hedge's g of 0.466 (95% CI: 0.710 - 0.189), reduced depression symptoms with average reduction of -2.788 (95% CI: -4.450 to -1.207; p < 0.01) and Hedge's g of 0.966 (95% CI: 1.507 - 0.426). Twenty-three RCTs comprising 2,619 patients with DM (type 1 and type 2) were included in this meta-analysis. Several mediators of the effect were found through subgroup analysis for HbA1c and depression symptoms. The interventions emphasising completion homework assignments, stress management, and that used an interpersonal strategy delivered via a group had a better effect on both HbA1c and depression symptoms. In addition, behavioral strategies had a better effect on glycaemic control, and cognitive strategies had a better effect on depression symptoms. There was no difference in the change of FPG, anxiety symptoms, weight, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) between CBT-based interventions and the control conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate that CBT-based interventions are effective for improving glycaemic control and depression symptoms in adult patients with type 1 DM (T1DM) or type 2 DM (T2DM) with moderate to large effect size. The results of the subgroup analysis suggest that it is necessary to adopt different types and technical components of CBT according to the population and purpose of the treatment in clinical practice. Due to the high heterogeneity of included studies and other limitations, further study including large number of studies is needed to confirm these results.

A Comparison of Functional Features in Chinese and US Mobile Apps for Diabetes Self-Management: A Systematic Search in App Stores and Content Analysis

BACKGROUND

Mobile health interventions are widely used for self-management of diabetes, which is one of the most burdensome noncommunicable chronic diseases worldwide. However, little is known about the distribution of characteristics and functions of in-store mobile apps for diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the distribution of characteristics and functions of the in-store mobile apps for self-management of diabetes in the United States and China using a predefined functional taxonomy, which was developed and published in our previous study.

METHODS

We identified apps by searching diabetes in English or Chinese in the Apple iTunes Store and Android Markets (both in the United States and China) and included apps for diabetes self-management. We examined the validity and reliability of the predefined functional taxonomy with 3 dimensions: clinical module, functional module, and potential risk. We then classified all functions in the included apps according to the predefined taxonomy and compared the differences in the features of these apps between the United States and China.

RESULTS

We included 171 mobile diabetes apps, with 133 from the United States and 38 from China. Apps from both countries faced the challenges of evidence-based information, proper risk assessment, and declaration, especially Chinese apps. More Chinese apps provide app-based communication functions (general communication: Chinese vs US apps, 39%, 15/38 vs 18.0%, 24/133; P=.006 and patient-clinician communication: Chinese vs US apps, 68%, 26/38 vs 6.0%, 8/133; P<.001), whereas more US apps provide the decision-making module (Chinese vs US apps, 0%, 0/38 vs 23.3%, 31/133; P=.001), which is a high-risk module. Both complication prevention (Chinese vs US apps, 8%, 3/38 vs 3.8%, 5/133; P=.50) and psychological care (Chinese vs US apps, 0%, 0/38 vs 0.8%, 1/133; P>.99) are neglected by the 2 countries.

CONCLUSIONS

The distribution of characteristics and functions of in-store mobile apps for diabetes self-management in the United States was different from China. The design of in-store diabetes apps needs to be monitored closely.

Web-Based Benefit-Finding Writing for Adults with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes: Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

The high prevalence of diabetes distress and subclinical depression in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM and T2DM, respectively) indicates the need for low-intensity self-help interventions that can be used in a stepped care approach to address some of their psychological needs. However, people with diabetes can be reluctant to engage in mental health care. Benefit-finding writing (BFW) is a brief intervention that involves writing about any positive thoughts and feelings concerning a stressful experience such as an illness, avoiding potential mental health stigma. It has been associated with increases in positive affect and positive growth and has demonstrated promising results in trials in other clinical populations. However, BFW has not been examined in people with diabetes.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a Web-based BFW intervention for reducing diabetes distress and increasing benefit finding in diabetic adults with T1DM or T2DM compared to a control writing condition.

Methods

Adults with T1DM or T2DM and diabetes distress were recruited online through the open access Writing for Health program. After completing baseline questionnaires, they were randomly allocated to receive online BFW or an active control condition of online writing about the use of time (CW). Both groups completed 15-minute online writing sessions, once per day, for 3 consecutive days. Online measures were administered at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months postintervention. Participants were also asked to rate their current mood immediately prior to and following each writing session.

Results

Seventy-two adults with T1DM or T2DM were recruited and randomly allocated to receive BFW (n=24) or CW (n=48). Participants adhered to the BFW regimen. Greater increases in positive affect immediately postwriting were found in the BFW group than in the CW group. However, there were no significant group-by-time interactions (indicating intervention effects) for benefit finding or diabetes distress at either the 1-month or 3-month follow-up. Both the BFW and CW groups demonstrated small, significant decreases in diabetes distress over time.

Conclusions

BFW was well tolerated by adults with diabetes in this study but did not demonstrate efficacy in improving diabetes distress or benefit finding compared to an active control writing condition. However, due to recruitment difficulties, the study was underpowered and the sample was skewed to individuals with minimal diabetes distress and none to minimal depression and anxiety at baseline. Future research should continue to investigate the efficacy of variants of therapeutic writing for adults with T1DM or T2DM, using larger samples of participants with elevated diabetes distress.

Trial Registration

Australiand New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12615000241538; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=368146