Brief Digital Solutions in Behavior Change Interventions for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Behavior Change Interventions
• Type 2 Diabetes Management

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital health solutions for type 2 diabetes (T2D) self-management.
• Brief digital behavior change solutions, requiring limited engagement, are increasingly explored for T2D.
• Assessing the impact of these solutions on self-care and glycemic control is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review brief digital behavior change solutions for T2D.
• To analyze the use of behavior change techniques (BCTs) within these solutions.
• To evaluate the impact of these digital interventions on T2D self-care and glycemic control.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 1, 2015, and March 21, 2021.
• Searches conducted in Embase and gray literature.
• Behavior change techniques (BCTs) coded using the BCT Taxonomy v1 (BCTTv1).

Main Results:

• Ten RCTs were included, with six reporting significant improvements in patient engagement, glycemic control, self-efficacy, and physical activity.
• Effective interventions were as short as 12 minutes, with user control over preferences enhancing engagement.
• Most BCTs targeted 'Feedback and monitoring,' 'Goals and planning,' and 'Shaping knowledge'; fewer BCTs were as effective as comprehensive interventions.

Conclusions:

• Brief digital behavior change solutions effectively enhance T2D self-care support and outcomes across diverse populations.
• User-friendly, tailored interventions can be as effective as longer, complex ones, reducing patient burden.
• Digital tools are vital for future diabetes management, meeting patient expectations for ongoing support.