Digital Guide for Diabetes

Overseen By Sara Heinert, PhD, MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Disqualifiers: Intubated

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 3 months

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help people with diabetes by using a text-based platform to provide educational materials and resources. The goal is to determine if these texts can improve diabetes knowledge, reduce stress related to managing diabetes, and enhance self-care activities. The trial focuses on individuals who visit the emergency room and have poorly controlled or newly diagnosed diabetes. Those with difficult-to-manage diabetes and access to a cell phone for texting might be a good fit for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to access innovative educational support that could significantly improve diabetes management.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this text-based platform is safe for patients with diabetes?

Research has shown that text-based health education tools are generally safe for people with diabetes. A review of telehealth technologies, including text-based resources, indicates they help people manage their diabetes without causing harm. Another study found that participants responded positively to text-based health education and referrals to healthcare. No reports of serious side effects emerged from using these tools. These findings suggest that the text-based platform used in this study is likely safe and well-tolerated. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the text-based resource referral platform for diabetes because it offers a fresh approach to diabetes education and management. Unlike traditional treatments that focus on medication or in-person counseling, this platform provides digital educational materials directly to patients' phones, making information more accessible and convenient. This method aims to empower patients with knowledge and resources, potentially leading to better self-management of diabetes, which is a crucial aspect of controlling the condition effectively.

What evidence suggests that this text-based platform is effective for diabetes?

Research has shown that learning through text messages can effectively manage diabetes. Studies have found that patients often feel engaged and satisfied with these programs. One study focused on low-income Latino patients and found that text messaging improved their diabetes care. Another study compared text message education with group sessions and found both methods effective for managing type 2 diabetes. This trial will evaluate a text-based resource referral platform with diabetes educational materials, suggesting that learning through text messages can enhance diabetes knowledge and self-care activities. ^{1 4 5 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who visit the emergency department and have poorly controlled or newly diagnosed diabetes. They must own a cell phone capable of sending and receiving text messages to participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Has a cell phone able to send and receive text messages

I am over 18 and was in the emergency or observation unit.

My diabetes is not well-managed or I was recently diagnosed.

Exclusion Criteria

I am currently on a breathing machine.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants use a text-based resource referral platform with diabetes educational materials

3 months

Baseline visit, ongoing virtual engagement

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for diabetes knowledge, distress, and self-care activities

3 months

Final assessment at 3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Text-based resource referral platform with diabetes educational materials

Trial Overview Project BADGE tests a text-based platform providing resources and educational materials for diabetes patients in the ED. It aims to improve their knowledge, reduce distress, enhance self-care activities, and assess the program's acceptability.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Text-based platform Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Text-based resource referral platform with diabetes educational materials

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Lead Sponsor

Trials

471

Recruited

81,700+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10899831/

Telehealth Technologies in Diabetes Self-management ... Web-based diabetes education is cost-effective ... Previous research has revealed high patient engagement and satisfaction rates with text-based education.

2. formative.jmir.org formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e45561

The Development of a Text Messaging Platform to Enhance a ... We aimed to develop and assess the preliminary feasibility and acceptability of a youth-informed SMS text messaging platform to provide additional support and ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6238849/

Improved Diabetes Care Management Through a Text ... The aim of this study was to examine the implementation and impact of a diabetes text-messaging program targeted primarily for low-income Latino patients.

4. bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-022-01820-w

Comparing the effects of SMS-based education with group ... This study aimed to compare the effect of SMS- and group-based education in managing diabetes type 2 and compare them with a control group.

5. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11892-024-01568-w

Advancing Type 2 Diabetes Prevention through Text ... This scoping review evaluates recent literature on text-messaging interventions focused on diabetes prevention, highlighting their development, associated ...

6. cdc.gov cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2020/19_0210.htm

Food Bank–Based Diabetes Prevention Intervention to ... The intervention included monthly diabetes-appropriate food packages, text-based health education, and referrals to health care. Evaluation ...

7. dshs.texas.gov dshs.texas.gov/diabetes/diabetes-educational-materials

Diabetes Educational Materials | Texas DSHS A limited number of free diabetes education materials are available by request through the Texas Health and Human Services Forms and Print Product Catalog.