ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of diabetes is increasing rapidly. Previous research has demonstrated the efficacy of a diabetes prevention program (DPP) in lifestyle modifications that can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes among individuals at risk. Digital DPPs have the potential to use technology, in conjunction with behavior change science, to prevent prediabetes on a national and global scale. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a digital DPP (Virgin Pulse [VP] Transform for Prediabetes) on weight and physical activity among participants who had completed 12 months of the program. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of retrospective data of adults with prediabetes who were enrolled in VP Transform for Prediabetes for 12 months of the program. The program incorporates interactive mobile computing, remote monitoring, an evidence-based curriculum, behavior tracking tools, health coaching, and online peer support to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: The sample (N=1095) was comprised of people with prediabetes who completed at least 9 months of the VP Transform for Prediabetes program. Participants were 67.7% (n=741) female, with a mean age of 53.6 (SD 9.75) years. After 12 months, participants decreased their weight by an average of 10.9 lbs (5.5%; P<.001) and increased their physical activity by 91.2 (P<.001) minutes. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that VP Transform for Prediabetes is effective at preventing type 2 diabetes through a significant reduction in body weight and increase of physical activity. Furthermore, these results suggest that the DPP remains effective 12 months after beginning the program. A prospective randomized controlled clinical study is warranted to validate these findings.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of diabetes is increasing among adults globally. Research has demonstrated that a diabetes prevention program (DPP), which focuses on developing and maintaining health-promoting lifestyle modifications, can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes among at-risk individuals. The implementation of a digitally adapted DPP has the potential to prevent prediabetes on a national and global scale by using technology and behavior change science. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a novel digital therapeutic DPP (Transform) on weight loss, body mass index (BMI), exercise frequency, and work absenteeism. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of retrospective data of adults with prediabetes who were enrolled in the Transform DPP from December 2016 to December 2017. The program incorporates interactive mobile computing, remote monitoring, an evidence-based curriculum, behavior tracking tools, health coaching, and online peer support to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. The analysis included data that were collected at baseline and after 4 months of the Transform DPP. RESULTS: The sample (N=273) comprised people with prediabetes who completed 4 months of the Transform program. Participants included 70.3% women, with a mean age of 54.0 (SD 11.2) years. On average, participants decreased their weight by 13.3 lbs (6.5%) and their BMI by 1.9 kg/m2. On average, participants increased their exercise frequency by 1.7 days per week, and absenteeism was reduced by almost half a day per month. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the digital therapeutic DPP (Transform) is effective at preventing type 2 diabetes through a significant reduction in body weight and an increase of physical activity. A prospective, controlled clinical study is warranted to validate these findings.
