Conclusions Telemonitoring interventions may be a better option than usual care in improving glycated haemoglobin control of patients with type 2 diabetes .
Aims This study evaluated clinical effectiveness of telemonitoring on the management of patients with type 2 diabetes .
Randomised controlled trial of an automated, interactive telephone intervention (TLC Diabetes) to improve type 2 diabetes management: baseline findings and six-month outcomes
Background Effective self-management of diabetes is essential for the reduction of diabetes-related complications , as global rates of diabetes escalate . Methods R and omised controlled trial . Adults with type 2 diabetes ( n = 120 ) , with HbA1c greater than or equal to 7.5 % , were r and omly allocated ( 4 × 4 block r and omised block design ) to receive an automated , interactive telephone-delivered management intervention or usual routine care .  Baseline sociodemographic , behavioural and medical history data were collected by self-administered question naires and biological data were obtained during hospital appointments . Health-related quality of life ( HRQL ) was measured using the SF-36 . Results The mean age of participants was 57.4 ( SD 8.3 ) , 63 % of whom were male . There were no differences in demographic , socioeconomic and behavioural variables between the study arms at baseline . Over the six-month period from baseline , participants receiving the Australian TLC ( Telephone-Linked Care ) Diabetes program showed a 0.8 % decrease in geometric mean HbA1c from 8.7 % to 7.9 % , compared with a 0.2 % HbA1c reduction ( 8.9 % to 8.7 % ) in the usual care arm ( p = 0.002 ) . There was also a significant improvement in mental HRQL , with a mean increase of 1.9 in the intervention arm , while the usual care arm decreased by 0.8 ( p = 0.007 ) . No significant improvements in physical HRQL were observed . Conclusions These analyses indicate the efficacy of the Australian TLC Diabetes program with clinical ly significant post-intervention improvements in both glycaemic control and mental HRQL . These observed improvements , if supported and maintained by an ongoing program such as this , could significantly reduce diabetes-related complications in the longer term . Given the accessibility and feasibility of this kind of program , it has strong potential for providing effective , ongoing support to many individuals with diabetes in the future
Conclusions Telemonitoring interventions may be a better option than usual care in improving glycated haemoglobin control of patients with type 2 diabetes .
Aims This study evaluated clinical effectiveness of telemonitoring on the management of patients with type 2 diabetes .