Currently submitted to: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Mar 3, 2026
Open Peer Review Period: Mar 3, 2026 - Apr 28, 2026
(currently open for review)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Evaluating The Impact And Practicality Of A National Digital Intervention For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Delivering sustained lifestyle interventions for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains challenging. Digital health interventions may help overcome barriers related to access scalability and resource constraints.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of a 16-week national digital lifestyle intervention with health coaching for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Brunei Darussalam, focusing on changes in glycemic control and health-related quality of life.
Methods:
Participants were recruited through both web-based and offline methods and enrolled in a 16-week digital intervention program that combined online education with offline health coaching. Participants continued their existing medications, without modification. Clinical outcomes (HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, BMI, waist circumference, lipid profile), lifestyle behaviors, and health-related quality of life (QoL) were assessed at baseline and postintervention.
Results:
A total of 102 of 122 participants (83.6%) completed the intervention. Mean HbA1c significantly decreased by 1.3%, fasting blood glucose by 1.7 mmol/L, BMI by 0.4 kg/m², and waist circumference by 2.0 cm (all P<0.001). Total cholesterol and triglycerides decreased by 0.4 mmol/L and 0.5 mmol/L, respectively (P<0.001). High completion rates and favorable participant feedback indicated strong feasibility and acceptability.
Conclusions:
This national digital intervention was associated with clinically meaningful improvements in glycemic control and QoL among individuals with T2DM in Brunei Darussalam. These findings support the potential role of scalable digital health interventions in strengthening diabetes care, particularly in resource-limited settings. Clinical Trial: MHREC/MOH/2022/4(1)
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