Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40393047›Full record

ArticleJMIR formative research2025

Effects of Using a Digital Peer-Supported App on Glycated Hemoglobin Changes Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Prospective Single-Arm Pilot Study.

Shota Yoshihara, Kayoko Takahashi, Hiroyuki Kawaguchi, Nozomi Harai, Kyoichiro Tsuchiya

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR formative research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Shota YoshiharaDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan, 81 042-788-9694.ORCID 0009-0000-8461-4488
Kayoko TakahashiDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0373, Japan, 81 042-788-9694.ORCID 0000-0001-8083-255X
Hiroyuki KawaguchiA10 Lab Inc, Tokyo, Japan.ORCID 0009-0008-0223-5176
Nozomi HaraiDepartment of Diabetes and Endocrinology, University of Yamanashi Hospital, Yamanashi, Japan.ORCID 0000-0001-5273-4602
Kyoichiro TsuchiyaDepartment of Diabetes and Endocrinology, University of Yamanashi Hospital, Yamanashi, Japan.ORCID 0000-0002-2863-4561

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Controlling glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels can be challenging for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Peer support promotes HbA1c control, and a digital peer-supported app designed for group interactions may enable patients with T2DM to encourage one another to achieve better HbA1c outcomes. However, no studies have investigated the use of digital peer-supported apps to control HbA1c levels in patients with T2DM. Objective: This pilot study aimed to explore the effects of a digital peer-supported app on HbA1c control in patients with T2DM. Methods: This prospective single-arm pilot study enrolled patients with T2DM who owned smartphones and visited medical institutions in Japan. During the 3-month intervention, participants used a digital peer-supported app in addition to receiving standard care. This app allowed participants to share activity logs and concerns via a chat function to improve HbA1c levels through mutual engagement and encouragement. The primary outcome was the change in HbA1c levels, measured at health care facilities at baseline and after 3 months. The secondary outcomes were body weight and blood pressure, with the most recent data obtained from hospitals and clinics. Physical activity (≥1 hour/day) was assessed at the same time points using a self-reported questionnaire. Results: The study included 21 participants with a median age of 56 (IQR 51-61) years, of which 13 (61.9%) were female. After using the digital peer-supported app for 3 months, the participants' HbA1c levels significantly decreased from 7.1% (SD 0.6%) at baseline to 6.9% (SD 0.1%) (P=.04). Similarly, participants' body weight decreased from 70.7 (SD 12.7) kg to 69.9 (SD 12.4) kg (P =.004) through app use. Although blood pressure decreased slightly from 128.2 (SD 12.5) mm Hg to 126.0 (SD 12.9) mm Hg, this change was not statistically significant (P=.20). Additionally, the proportion of participants engaged in ≥1 hour of daily physical activity significantly increased from 23.5% (n=4) to 58.5% (n=10) (P=.03). Conclusions: In addition to receiving standard clinical care, the use of a digital peer-supported app may significantly lower HbA1c levels in patients with T2DM by promoting healthy behaviors.

Indexed as

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2Glycated HemoglobinMobile ApplicationsPeer GroupAgedExerciseFemaleHumansJapanMaleMiddle AgedPilot ProjectsProspective StudiesGlycated Hemoglobinhemoglobin A1c protein, humandiabetes type 2digital healthdigital interventionglycated hemoglobinHbA1clifestyle interventionself-managementT2DMtype 2 diabetes mellitus

Identifiers

PMID40393047
PMCPMC12112254

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.