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PDA-assisted low glycemic index dietary intervention for type II diabetes: a pilot study

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 60, pages 1235–1243 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Background:

Epidemiological and dietary intervention studies suggest that a low-glycemic index (GI) diet is beneficial for blood glucose control; however, long-term clinical utility of the low GI diet has not been fully investigated.

Objectives:

To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a nutritionist-delivered low-GI dietary intervention, with the support of a personal digital assistant (PDA), for adult patients with poorly controlled type II diabetes.

Method:

The low-GI intervention consisted of six counseling sessions and the use of a PDA-based food database with GI scores for 6 months. Study outcomes included feasibility measures, glycosylated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c), GI and glycemic load (GL) score of self-reported dietary intake, body weight, depression and quality of life (QOL). Measures were obtained at baseline, 3 and 6 months.

Results:

Of 31 adult patients approached, 15 met study eligibility criteria and were enrolled in the study. Thirteen patients (87%) completed all study assessments. Findings included decreases in average HbA1c (−0.5% P=0.02), body weight, hip circumference, blood pressure, dietary GI and daily caloric intake. Diabetes impact scores also decreased. All but one participant completed all components of the intervention. There were mixed reports regarding the usefulness of the PDAs; however, participants offered helpful suggestions for further development.

Conclusions:

Results of this pilot study support the feasibility of implementing a nutritionist-delivered, PDA-assisted low-GI dietary intervention for patients with poorly controlled type II diabetes. Encouraging initial efficacy data require further testing in the context of a randomized clinical trial.

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Acknowledgements

The project described was supported by an internal grant from the University of Massachusetts Medical School to Dr Yunsheng Ma. We thank Dr Judith K Ockene for her consistent encouragement and support of this work; Mr Hongzhen Zhang who helped with the innovative idea of proactive control and management of human activities through computer software; Mr Keith Crozier and Dr Frank J Domino for the development of the PDA software; Ms Mary Jane Campbell for her assistance with study recruitment and data collection; Ms Victoria Andersen for her assistance with the intervention; Ms Jennifer Griffith for her assistance in creating GI database for PDA; and Ms Annie Culver, BS Pharm for her assistance in understanding pharmacological issues related to participants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Y Ma, B C Olendzki, D Chiriboga, M Rosal, E Sinagra, S Crawford, A R Hafner, S L Pagoto & R P Magner

  2. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    I S Ockene

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  1. Y Ma
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Correspondence to Y Ma.

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Guarantor: Y Ma.

Contributors: Study concept and design: YM, BCO, DC and ISO; statistical analysis: ARH, YM and SC; drafting of the manuscripts: YM and BCO; critical revision of the mannuuscript for important intellectual contents: DC, MR, ES, SC, ARH, SLP, RPM and ISO.

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Ma, Y., Olendzki, B., Chiriboga, D. et al. PDA-assisted low glycemic index dietary intervention for type II diabetes: a pilot study. Eur J Clin Nutr 60, 1235–1243 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602443

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