Effects of a Mobile Application-based Self-management Programme on Health Knowledge, Health Behaviours, and Glycaemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Managing diabetes in the elderly is challenging due to limited access to health education and support. While mHealth tools have improved self-management and glycaemic control, evidence in older populations is limited. This study evaluated the impact of a mobile app and telephone follow-up on diabetes knowledge, health behaviours, and HbA1C levels in elderly individuals with diabetes. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group design was conducted. A total of 210 elderly individuals with diabetes were recruited and assigned to one of three groups: a mobile application group, a telephone follow-up group, and a control group (70 participants per group). Chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA, and paired t-tests were used to analyze the hypothesis. Results: Before the intervention, no statistically significant differences in diabetes knowledge, health behaviours, or HbA1C levels were observed among the three groups (P > 0.05). The post-intervention results showed the mobile application group had significantly higher scores in diabetes knowledge (8.96 ± 2.32) and health behaviours (80.64 ± 7.23) compared to the telephone follow-up and control groups (P < 0.001). Similarly, the mobile application group had significantly lower HbA1C levels (7.19 ± 0.80) than the other groups (P < 0.001). Conclusion: mHealth notably outperformed telephone follow-up and standard care, significantly boosting diabetes knowledge, self-care behaviours, and HbA1c in elderly patients. Integrating such apps into routine management could enhance outcomes, with future research needed on long-term adherence and scalability.