A study in Journal of Aging and Health investigated whether using human coaching in conjunction with a digital health program would help reduce patients' risk of diabetes.
The researchers — led by Cynthia Castro Sweet, PhD, director of medical affairs at the digital behavioral medicine company Omada Health — enrolled 501 Medicare patients at risk for diabetes in the study. The study evaluated outcomes of Omada Health's Diabetes Prevention Program, which combined tools like wireless digital scales and online educational courses with health coaches from Omada Health.
After 12 months of using the diabetes prevention program, participants lost 7.5 percent of their initial body weight. In addition, participants' glucose control improved and their total cholesterol level decreased. Self-reported measures also showed that well-being, depression and self-care scores improved.
The researchers concluded, "The findings support digital programs with human coaching for reducing chronic disease risk among older adults."