Diabetes Apps – Do They Work?

Feb 6, 2014
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What diabetes apps are available and are they of any benefit?…

While applications can be helpful, a patient should be reminded that diabetic counseling from a medical professional and regular check-ups are still the best way to properly maintain their diabetes.

In a recent study, the mean declines in glycated hemoglobin were 1.9% in the maximal treatment group and 0.7% in the usual care group, a difference of 1.2% (P < 0.001) over 12 months.

Researchers concluded that the combination of patient behavioral mobile coaching with blood glucose data, lifestyle behaviors, and patient self-management data individually analyzed and presented with evidence-based guidelines to providers substantially reduced glycated hemoglobin levels over 1 year.

Practice Pearls:

Many diabetes apps are currently available including apps which count carbohydrates, track glucose levels, or even remind a patient to take their medications.
When you combine mobile coaching along with glucose data it can be beneficial

Charlene C. Quinn, RN, Ph.D., Michelle D. Shardell, Ph.D., Michael L. Terrin, MD, MPH, Erik A. Barr, BA, Shoshana H. Ballew, BA, Ann Gruber-Baldini, Ph.D. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.