Development of a computer-aided text message platform for user engagement with a digital Diabetes Prevention Program:...

Area of Science:

• Digital health
• mHealth applications
• Behavioral science

Background:

• Digital Diabetes Prevention Programs (dDPP) show clinical effectiveness but struggle with long-term user engagement.
• Poor adherence to dDPP hinders meaningful health outcomes in diabetes prevention.
• Integrating technology into clinical workflows is crucial for sustained digital health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop a Personalized Automatic Message System (PAMS) to boost user engagement with dDPP platforms.
• To create a system that sends automated, tailored messages from primary care providers to dDPP users.
• To address the challenge of long-term adherence in digital diabetes prevention.

Main Methods:

• Employed user-centered design (UCD) methodologies, including focus groups, interviews, and workshops, to define system requirements.
• Developed PAMS using computational tools to deliver theory-based, automated, and tailored messages and content.
• Integrated PAMS into existing clinical workflows for seamless delivery of support.
• Conducted preliminary user testing to evaluate system feasibility and user reception.

Main Results:

• Key requirements and features for PAMS were identified through iterative UCD cycles.
• A technical architecture and build for PAMS were successfully developed.
• Preliminary user testing indicated positive reception and potential for enhanced dDPP engagement.
• The system demonstrated the capability to deliver automated, tailored content via messages.

Conclusions:

• PAMS offers an innovative solution to improve long-term engagement in dDPP.
• Integrating automated, personalized messaging into clinical workflows can support diabetes prevention efforts.
• User-centered design is critical for developing effective mHealth interventions like PAMS.
• Further research and testing are warranted to confirm the impact of PAMS on adherence and health outcomes.