title: A 3-Month Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial of a Patient-Centered, Computer-Based Self-Monitoring System for the Care of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension.
abstract: This study was performed to evaluate the effects of a patient-centered, tablet computer-based self-monitoring system for chronic disease care. A 3-month randomized controlled pilot trial was conducted to compare the use of a computer-based self-monitoring system in disease self-care (intervention group; n = 33) with a conventional self-monitoring method (control group; n = 30) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension. The system was equipped with a 2-in-1 blood glucose and blood pressure monitor, a reminder feature, and video-based educational materials for the care of the two chronic diseases. The control patients were given only the 2-in-1 monitor for self-monitoring. The outcomes reported here included the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, fasting blood glucose level, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, chronic disease knowledge, and frequency of self-monitoring. The data were collected at baseline and at 1-, 2-, and 3-month follow-up visits. The patients in the intervention group had a significant decrease in mean systolic blood pressure from baseline to 1 month (p < 0.001) and from baseline to 3 months (p = 0.043) compared with the control group. Significant improvements in the mean diastolic blood pressure were seen in the intervention group compared with the control group after 1 month (p < 0.001) and after 2 months (p = 0.028), but the change was not significant after 3 months. No significant differences were observed between the groups in the fasting blood glucose level, the HbA1c level, or chronic disease knowledge. The frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose level and blood pressure was similar in both groups. The performances of the tablet computer-assisted and conventional disease self-monitoring appear to be useful to support/maintain blood pressure and diabetes control. The beneficial effects of the use of electronic self-care resources and support provided via mobile technologies require further confirmation in longer-term, larger trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Room 8-7, 8/f., Haking Wong Building, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China. klor@hku.hk.
authors.forename: Calvin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Or
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Factors and Ergonomics, College of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Da
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tao
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002908:Chronic Disease; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D017010:Reminder Systems; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin
keywords: Consumer health information technology; Hypertension; Randomized controlled trial; Self-monitoring; Type 2 diabetes mellitus