The review indicates that most telemedicine strategies can be useful , either as an adjunct or to replace usual care , leading to clinical ly meaningful reduction in HbA1c
The effects of telemedicine strategies on the management of diabetes is not clear .
This study aim ed to investigate the impact of different telemedicine strategies on glycaemic control management of type 2 diabetes patients .
TECNOB Study: Ad Interim Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Multidisciplinary Telecare Intervention for Obese Patients with Type-2 Diabetes
Background : Obesity increases the risk of many health complications such as hypertension , coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes , needs long-lasting treatment for effective results and involves high public and private care-costs . Therefore , it is imperative that enduring and low-cost clinical programs for obesity and related co-morbidities are developed and evaluated . Information and communication technologies ( ICT ) can help clinicians to deliver treatment in a cost-effective and time-saving manner to a large number of obese individuals with co-morbidities . Objective : To examine ad interim effectiveness of a 12-month multidisciplinary telecare intervention for weight loss provided to obese patients with type 2 diabetes . Design , Setting , and Participants : A single-center r and omized controlled trial ( TECNOB study ) started in December 2008 . At present , 72 obese patients with type 2 diabetes have been recruited and r and omly allocated to the TECNOB program ( n=37 ) or to a control condition ( n=39 ) . However , only 34 participants have completed at least the 3-month follow-up and have been included in this ad interim analysis . 21 out of them have reached also the 6-month follow-up and 13 have achieved the end of the program . Study is still on-going . Intervention : All participants attended 1-month inpatient intensive program that involved individualized medical care , diet therapy , physical training and brief psychological counseling . At discharge , participants allocated to the TECNOB program were instructed to use a  weight-loss web-site  , a web-based videoconference tool , a dietary software installed into their cellular phones and an electronic armb and measuring daily steps and energy expenditure . Main Outcome Measures : Weight and disordered eating-related behaviors and cognitions ( EDI-2 ) at entry to hospital , at discharge from hospital , at 3,6 and 12 months . Results : Ad interim analysis of data from 34 participants showed no statistically significant difference between groups in weight change at any time-point . However , within-group analysis revealed significant reductions of initial weight at discharge from hospital , at 3 months , at 6 months but not at 12 months . Control group had higher scores in Interpersonal distrust at 12 months . Conclusion : This ad interim findings revealed that the effect of the inpatient treatment was high and probably overwhelmed the effect of the TECNOB intervention . Much statistical power and long-term follow-up may enhance the probability to detect the TECNOB effect over and above the great one exerted by the inpatient program
The review indicates that most telemedicine strategies can be useful , either as an adjunct or to replace usual care , leading to clinical ly meaningful reduction in HbA1c
The effects of telemedicine strategies on the management of diabetes is not clear .
This study aim ed to investigate the impact of different telemedicine strategies on glycaemic control management of type 2 diabetes patients .