A NEW study has demonstrated the feasibility of a mobile health (mHealth)-supported home-delivered physical activity (PA) programme for individuals recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (T2D). The MOTIVATE-T2D intervention, tested in a multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT), was found to encourage greater adherence to exercise routines and showed potential benefits for key clinical outcomes.
The study, conducted across England and Canada using a decentralised design, recruited 125 participants aged 40–75 who had been diagnosed with T2D within the past 5–24 months. The participants were randomly assigned to either the MOTIVATE-T2D intervention or an active control group. Both groups engaged in a personalised, progressive PA programme over six months, supported by virtual behavioural counselling. However, only the intervention group utilised wearable technology to provide biofeedback on their activity levels.
Key findings from the study revealed a strong recruitment rate of 93%, with 125 out of 135 eligible individuals participating. Retention was also high, with 82% of participants remaining engaged at the 12-month mark. Crucially, those in the MOTIVATE-T2D group were significantly more likely to initiate (odds ratio [OR] 10.4) and sustain purposeful exercise at six months (OR 7.1) and 12 months (OR 2.9) compared to the control group.
Exploratory clinical outcomes hinted at a potential benefit for participants using wearable technology. Changes in HbA1c levels, a key marker of blood sugar control, showed a reduction at six months (-5% change from baseline) and 12 months (-2% change from baseline). Similarly, systolic blood pressure (BP) saw a small reduction over the study period, with a decrease of 1 mm Hg at six months and 4 mm Hg at 12 months.
The researchers concluded that the MOTIVATE-T2D programme is feasible for individuals with newly diagnosed T2D and merits further investigation in a full-scale RCT. Such a trial would assess both clinical and cost-effectiveness, potentially paving the way for broader implementation of mHealth-supported PA interventions to improve diabetes management.
Reference
Hesketh K et al. Mobile Health Biometrics to Enhance Exercise and Physical Activity Adherence in Type 2 Diabetes (MOTIVATE-T2D): a decentralised feasibility randomised controlled trial delivered across the UK and Canada. BMJ Open. 2025;15(3):e092260.
