Efficacy of a mobile application for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Evidence on the effectiveness of mobile health (mHealth) applications for T2DM remains inconsistent, particularly in low-resource settings. We assessed the impact of a digital intervention on glycemic and anthropometric outcomes among patients in urban primary care. Methods: A block-randomized controlled trial was conducted in three health centers in Veracruz, Mexico. Adult T2DM patients were assigned to an intervention group (n = 26), which used The Adhera Caring Digital Program® for T2DM for 90 days, or a control group (n = 36) receiving standard care and educational workshops. The primary outcome was change in HbA1c. Secondary outcomes included fasting glucose, BMI, weight, waist circumference, lipid profile, and blood pressure. Linear regression and mixed-effects models were adjusted for baseline values, age, sex, and education. Results: The intervention group showed a significant reduction in BMI (−0.47 kg/m², p = 0.048), and trends toward lower weight (−1.47 kg, p = 0.054) and systolic blood pressure (−3.48 mmHg, p = 0.042). No significant changes were found in HbA1c, fasting glucose, lipids, or hospitalizations. Conclusions: A low-intensity mHealth intervention produced modest improvements in anthropometric and hemodynamic outcomes, although HbA1c did not significantly change over 3 months. These findings support the feasibility of short-term digital strategies in primary care settings. Longer-term studies are needed to evaluate sustained glycemic impact.