The use of an Energy Monitor in the management of diabetes: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
This study evaluated the use of an accelerometer-based device in helping to manage blood glucose levels (BGLs) in people with diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
Five people with diabetes were given a triaxial accelerometer-based device (Energy Monitor) that measured energy levels associated with activities of daily living. For 3 months, they were required to wear the device and to continue with their usual diabetes therapy. The body mass index (BMI) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) were recorded to assess any potential improvement in blood glucose control. The relationship between BGL and measured energy level was also investigated.


RESULTS
Overall, there was a significant reduction of HbA(1c) from 7.48 +/- 1.21% to 6.98 +/- 1.44% (P < 0.05). There was no significant change in BMI. It was also found that higher energy levels resulted in much lower fluctuations in BGL change between meals compared to low energy levels. Moreover, the weekly mean activity score showed an increase in activity levels from the second week to the final week.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study demonstrated that the Energy Monitor could improve the management of diabetes by allowing people with diabetes to view and manage daily physical activity in addition to their usual diabetes therapy.
Biomedical Systems Laboratory and Laboratory for Health Telematics, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Rudi
R
Voon
Branko G
BG
Celler
Nigel H
NH
Lovell
D015992:Body Mass Index; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004867:Equipment Design; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018401:Sample Size
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin