Wearable Technology and a Virtual Lifestyle Program for Type 2 Diabetics

The Primary Care Diabetes Support Program (PCDSP) offers a lifestyle medicine program, STAND, that patients can self-select themselves to participate. STAND offers biweekly, one-hour educational classes. With the onset of COVID-19, the clinic has moved virtually, but has yet to offer an individualized exercise program. Little evidence is available on utilizing telemedicine and wearable technologies combined in a clinical exercise setting. This is a 6-week single cohort prospective study assessing the feasibility of incorporating wearable activity trackers and individualized exercise prescriptions in the PCDSP's virtually delivered, STAND program in an adult population with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Roughly 15-20 participants will be recruited. Participants will attend the bi-weekly STAND classes and track their step counts daily using FitBits, trying to achieve individually prescribed step counts. Participants receive a brief follow up phone call every other week. The primary outcomes assessed will be recruitment and retention rates, as well as acceptability of, and adherence to, the virtual program. Acceptability will be assessed by an exit survey and mean number of reported technological issues. Adherence will be number of classes attended and percent of days with FitBit worn (\>500 steps) and average percent Libre sensor is active. Change in self-efficacy levels, diabetes emotional related distress, exercise volume, glucose control and fitness levels will secondarily be assessed.