To assess the efficacy of utilizing a social media platform for dietary and lifestyle management in improving acceptance and blood glucose control in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), compared to the control group under usual care. Specifically, i. To measure the participants' acceptability and satisfaction levels of receiving intervention through the social media platform. ii. To measure the feasibility of using the social media platform to provide GDM support through participants' engagement levels and feedback questionnaire. iii. To measure the efficacy of using the social media platform to manage emotional responses in women with GDM. iv. To measure the efficacy of using the social media platform to optimize glycemic control in women with GDM.
Engaging pregnant women with GDM in dietary management over the gestation has been challenging. This pilot trial aims to assess the efficacy of utilizing a social media platform for dietary and lifestyle management in improving acceptance and blood glucose control among patients with GDM, compared to a control group receiving usual care. The study will employ a randomized controlled trial design, with GDM patients from KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) randomly assigned to either the usual care (control; n=40) or to additional support via a dedicated social media platform for a period of 1 month, where a moderator will be available to address patients' queries and share relevant educational resources (intervention; n=40). Outcome measures include acceptance, satisfaction, and engagement levels, emotional well-being as well as the percentage achievement of time-in-range glucose readings for GDM patients. The independent t-test will be used to compare the outcome measures between groups. The findings from this study will provide valuable insights into the feasibility and efficacy of incorporating digital platforms into routine dietary counselling practices for improved patient outcomes and enhanced management of GDM.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
80
Usual care provided by a diabetes nurse educator and dietitian. Additional educational resources for dietary management care received, and for any queries to be addressed by dietitian via social media platform from baseline to one-month follow-up visit.
Usual care provided by a diabetes nurse educator and dietitian.
KK Women's and Children's Hospital
Singapore, Singapore
RECRUITINGAcceptance levels
Assessed by a 5-point Likert-type scale, ranging from 1 (completely disagree) to 5 (completely agree). A higher score indicates a higher acceptance level.
Time frame: At the end of one month from baseline visit
Satisfaction levels
Assessed by a 5-point Likert-type scale, ranging from 1 (completely disagree) to 5 (completely agree). A higher score indicates a higher satisfaction level.
Time frame: At the end of one month from baseline visit
Engagement levels
Assessed by frequency of interactions with the platform moderator and frequency of platform visits among women in the intervention group
Time frame: At the end of one month from baseline visit
Appropriateness levels
Assessed by a 5-point Likert-type scale, ranging from 1 (completely disagree) to 5 (completely agree). A higher score indicates a greater appropriateness level.
Time frame: At the end of one month from baseline visit
Feasibility levels
Assessed by a 5-point Likert-type scale, ranging from 1 (completely disagree) to 5 (completely agree). A higher score indicates a higher feasibility level.
Time frame: At the end of one month from baseline visit
Emotional wellbeing
Assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale on a 5-point Likert-type scale, ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (very often). A higher score indicates a higher perceived stress level.
Time frame: At the end of one month from baseline visit
Blood glucose levels
Assessed by finger prick tests, in mmol/L
Time frame: At the end of one month from baseline visit
Proportion of participants with optimal blood glucose control
Based on recommended pre-meal range of 4.4-5.5 mmol/L and 2h post-meal range of 5.5-6.6 mmol/L
Time frame: At the end of one month from baseline visit
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