1. WI-BEEP (WIreless technology and Behavioral Economics to Engage Patients with type 2 diabetes or hypertension) Angellotti E1, Pierce A2, Hescott B3, Wong JB1,2 and Pittas AG1,2
1Tufts Medical Center; 2 Tufts University School of Medicine; 3 Northeastern University (all in Boston, MA)
METHODS
RESULTS (cont.)
BACKGROUND
Personalized Text Messaging
Acceptability of text messages
Adherence to lifestyle recommendations and medications for type 2 diabetes is challenging. Mobile Health (mHealth), defined as medical and public health practice supported by mobile devices (e.g., mobile phones, monitoring devices), offers an alternative approach to care of chronic disease.
Patients received personalized text messages (PTM) based on behavioral principles providing patient-tailored advice and motivation towards a healthy lifestyle and increased adherence to cardio-metabolic (e.g., diabetes, hypertension) medications. See examples on the right.
Blood Pressure Wireless Monitoring
Patients with hypertension also received wireless blood pressure monitoring using an FDA-approved device (iHealth Labs, Inc.) connected via Bluetooth to the patient’s phone (or tablet). Patients were asked to take blood pressure measurements twice a day and data were automatically and wirelessly collected via the iHealth App into a cloud-based portal ( accessible to study staff.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of wireless technology (personalized text messaging and biometric assessment) targeting medications and lifestyle habits (exercise and diet) in patients with type 2 diabetes and/or hypertension.  [
Most patients reported that TM were easy to understand (88%), appropriate in frequency (71%) and language (88%).
Acceptability of BP wireless monitoring
STUDY DESIGN
RESULTS
Single-arm, open-label, 7-week long, pilot study conducted at Tufts Medical Center.
Blood Pressure Wireless Monitoring
Flow of participants
All patients reported the blood pressure monitoring to be useful, and nearly all (89%) found it easy to use.
Mean blood pressure improved from 147/84 mmHg (week 0) to 143/81 mmHg (week 6).
CONCLUSIONS
Medication adherence
Among patients with type 2 diabetes or hypertension, the combination of a lifestyle- focused text messaging service and wireless blood pressure monitoring was feasible and acceptable. Larger studies are needed to determine the long-term effectiveness of such an approach.
Feasibility
Patients responded to 50% of the bidirectional texts, which requested a yes/no response). We collected 77% of expected BP recordings.