Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory-based mobile app on improving symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in China.
Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Ninety?seven patients with T2DM were enrolled and they were randomized into the control group and the experimental group. The control group was given usual diabetes education and follow-up with telephone call, while the experimental group was followed up by using the TCM theory-based mobile app. After 6-month intervention, the diabetic symptom scores, the blood glucose levels, and self?management ability of the two groups were compared.
Results: Compared with intervention before, the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-h postprandial blood glucose (2hPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased in the control group (9.28 ± 3.05 vs. 8.26 ± 2.73 mmol/L, 12.65 ± 4.18 vs. 10.65 ± 3.79 mmol/L, and 8.78% ±1.76% vs. 7.96% ±1.47%, respectively, all P < 0.05) and also decreased in the experimental group (8.36 ± 2.64 vs. 7.35 ± 2.45 mmol/L, 11.50 ± 4.29 vs. 9.85 ± 2.71 mmol/L, and 8.64% ±2.04% vs. 7.29% ±1.56%, respectively, all P < 0.05) after 6?month intervention, while the summary of diabetes self-care activities (SDSCAs) scale scores after 6?month intervention increased significantly in the control group (35.20 ± 14.68 vs. 44.78 ± 10.21, P < 0.05) and the experimental group (32.16 ± 13.21 vs. 50.37 ± 10.06, P < 0.05). After 6-month intervention, the diabetic symptom scores (18.16 ± 2.74 vs. 22.18 ± 4.77) and HbA1c (7.29 ± 1.56% vs. 7.96% ±1.47%) were lower, and SDSCA scale scores (50.37 ± 10.06 vs. 44.78 ± 10.21) were higher in the experimental group than the control group (all P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The mobile app based on TCM theory can effectively improve diabetes-related symptoms in patients with T2DM and help control their blood glucose as well as enhance their self-management ability.