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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Telehealth Augmented With a CBT Smartphone Application to Address Type 2 Diabetes
Judith A Callan1,2, Susan M Sereika1, Ruifeng Cui2
1School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care
|November 9, 2022
Summary
Phone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a smartphone app improved type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) self-management and reduced distress. The 12-week CBT intervention showed the most significant A1C and distress reduction in patients with T2DM.
Area of Science:
- Digital Health
- Behavioral Medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) self-management is crucial for patient outcomes.
- Diabetes distress negatively impacts T2DM management.
- Telehealth interventions offer scalable solutions for chronic disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and acceptability of phone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for T2DM self-management.
- To evaluate the efficacy of CBT combined with a smartphone application (CBT MobileWork-DM©) in improving T2DM outcomes.
- To investigate the impact on diabetes distress and glycemic control (A1C).
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled pilot study involving 12 patients with T2DM and A1C ≥ 8%.
- Intervention groups received phone-delivered CBT (6, 8, or 12 sessions) augmented with a smartphone app.
- Comparison group received treatment as usual (TAU).
- Assessments included A1C, diabetes distress, and medication adherence at baseline and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- All CBT groups and the TAU group showed decreased A1C and distress levels after 16 weeks.
- The 12-week CBT group achieved the greatest mean reduction in A1C (-2.33) and distress (-31.67).
- Overall completion rate for phone CBT sessions was 83%.
Conclusions:
- Telehealth CBT, enhanced by a smartphone application, is a feasible and acceptable intervention for T2DM.
- This approach leads to significant improvements in T2DM self-management and a reduction in diabetes-related distress.
- Digital health tools can effectively support chronic disease management.
