Randomized, controlled trial of a digital behavioral therapeutic application to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes
Objective
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a digital therapeutic application (app) delivering cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) designed to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Research Design and Methods
Adults with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c 7 to <11% were randomized to receive access to a digital therapeutic app delivering CBT (BT-001) or a control app, both on top of standard of care management. CBT is an established form of psychological treatment that endeavors to identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns. The primary study endpoint was treatment group difference in mean HbA1c change from baseline to 90 days.
Results
Among 669 randomized subjects who completed app on-boarding, mean age was 58 years, body mass index 35 kg/m2, 54% were female, 28% Black, and 16% Latino. Baseline HbA1c was 8.2 and 8.1% in the BT-001 and control groups, respectively. After 90 days of app access, change in HbA1c was -0.28% (95% CI -0.41, -0.15) in the BT-001 group and +0.11% (95% CI -0.02, 0.23) in the control group (treatment group difference 0.39%, p<0.0001). HbA1c reduction paralleled exposure to the therapeutic intervention, assessed as the number of modules completed on the app (p for trend<0.0001). No adverse events in either group were attributed to app use and no adverse device effects reported.
Conclusions
Patients randomized to the BT-001 arm relative to the control arm had significantly lower HbA1c at 90 days. The digital therapeutic may provide a scalable treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes.