Results Telemedicine programs that include a nutritional component show similar effect in diabetes management as those programs that do not .
Furthermore , subgroup analysis reveals that nutritional intervention via SMS such as email and text messages is at least as equally effective in reducing HbA1c when compared to personal nutritional counseling with a practitioner over videoconference or telephone .
Conclusion The inclusion of nutritional counseling as part of a telemedicine program does not make a significant difference to diabetes outcomes .
Incorporating nutritional counseling into telemedicine programs via SMS is at least as effective as counseling via telephone or videoconference
Background A growing number of studies and review s have documented the impact of telemedicine on diabetes management .
However , no meta- analysis has assessed whether including nutritional counseling as part of a telemedicine program has a significant impact on diabetes outcomes or what kind of nutritional counseling is most effective .
Feasibility of using videoconferencing to provide diabetes education: a pilot study
We conducted a pilot study of the effectiveness of individual counselling sessions provided by a dietician through telemedicine for patients with diabetes . All participants received a single group education session via videoconference .  Those who were r and omized to the intervention also received two additional follow-up sessions , four and eight weeks later . Glycosylated haemoglobin and total cholesterol were measured at the start and again 16 weeks later . The patients completed diabetes quality -of-life and telemedicine patient satisfaction surveys . Thirty-two participants consented to participate . Complete data were collected on 13 intervention and 13 control patients . There was a 1 % fall in HbA1c in the intervention group from pre- to post- assessment , although this was not significant . The control group showed a significantly larger fall in HbA1c levels than the intervention group ( P = 0.043 ) . Total cholesterol decreased in both groups , although not significantly . All control and intervention group participants indicated that they would participate in videoconferencing nutritional counselling again . The results suggest that providing nutritional therapy via videoconferencing may be useful in assisting patients to manage their conditions
Results Telemedicine programs that include a nutritional component show similar effect in diabetes management as those programs that do not .
Furthermore , subgroup analysis reveals that nutritional intervention via SMS such as email and text messages is at least as equally effective in reducing HbA1c when compared to personal nutritional counseling with a practitioner over videoconference or telephone .
Conclusion The inclusion of nutritional counseling as part of a telemedicine program does not make a significant difference to diabetes outcomes .
Incorporating nutritional counseling into telemedicine programs via SMS is at least as effective as counseling via telephone or videoconference
Background A growing number of studies and review s have documented the impact of telemedicine on diabetes management .
However , no meta- analysis has assessed whether including nutritional counseling as part of a telemedicine program has a significant impact on diabetes outcomes or what kind of nutritional counseling is most effective .