Text messages can be as good as medication for helping control diabetes

By Luke Dormehl June 13, 2017

andreypopov / 123RF Stock Photo

There are all kinds of high-tech tools aimed at helping deal with Type 2 diabetes, but it turns out that one incredibly helpful, low-cost solution may be one that most of us have been using without thinking for years: The humble text message.

In a study carried out by researchers at the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute, a group of 63 low-income Hispanics with diabetes received daily health-related text messages for a period of six months. The reason for focusing on Hispanics in the study is that they face a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes — with 13.9 percent of the population affected, compared with 7.6 percent for non-Hispanic whites. Participants in the study were either uninsured or received coverage through Medi-Cal. The majority were middle-aged, female, and had received less than a ninth-grade education.

Over the course of the investigation, each participant received a total of 354 messages, sent to their own phones. Sample texts included messages like: “Use small plates! Portions will look larger and you may feel more satisfied after eating,” or “It takes a team! Get the support you need — family, friends and support groups can help you to succeed.”

Impressively, the participants in the study saw similar improvements to blood sugar levels to those that would be the result of certain glucose-lowering medications. Participants who texted in their blood glucose levels were more likely to have better A1C measures, reflecting average blood sugar levels for the past two to three months than other study group participants who texted back less often.

After the trial, 96 percent of the study group said that the texts they received helped them manage their diabetes “a lot.” Ninety-seven percent said that they would recommend a similar program to friends and family members.

The research suggests that text messages can act as a positive, low-cost method of increasing adherence and engagement in medical treatment. It is also presumably a positive piece of research for the makers of wearable wellness devices, who can use this as proof positive that the health-modifying “nudges” sent by devices can have a big impact on improving people’s well-being.

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I'm a UK-based tech writer covering Cool Tech at Digital Trends. I've also written for Fast Company, Wired, the Guardian…

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