Advancing Type 2 Diabetes Prevention through Text-Messaging Interventions: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Preventive Medicine
• Health Behavior Change

Background:

• Text-messaging interventions are effective for managing various health conditions.
• Diabetes prevention remains a critical public health challenge.
• Mobile health (mHealth) strategies offer scalable solutions for chronic disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of recent literature on text-messaging interventions for diabetes prevention.
• To evaluate the development, outcomes, reach, and sustainability of these interventions.
• To identify key findings and future research directions in mobile health for diabetes prevention.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of electronic databases for relevant studies published within a defined timeframe.
• Inclusion of studies focusing on text-messaging interventions specifically targeting diabetes prevention.
• Analysis of intervention characteristics, reported outcomes, feasibility, acceptability, cost-effectiveness, and implementation strategies.

Main Results:

• Twenty-eight studies were included, with text-messaging frequently used for weight loss via physical activity and dietary changes.
• Interventions were often developed using established curricula and showed high feasibility and acceptability.
• Effectiveness was mixed, but text-messaging proved more cost-effective than traditional in-person programs.

Conclusions:

• Text-messaging interventions show significant potential for diabetes prevention but require refinement to enhance effectiveness and sustainability.
• Further research should focus on interactive features, optimized content, and broader cost-effectiveness evaluations.
• Integration into existing healthcare workflows is crucial for scalability and real-world implementation.