The impact of dietary education and counselling with a smartphone application on secondary prevention of coronary artery disease: A randomised controlled study (the TeleDiet study)

Objective: In a secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD), nutritional management is an integral part of lifestyle optimisation. However, few studies have investigated the potential of remote nutritional follow-up using digital solutions. This study investigates the effectiveness of a smartphone application for nutrition education and feedback with pictures of meals by a dietitian for patients with CAD. Methods: Sixty participants with CAD were randomised to either a TeleDiet group or a control group. Participants in the TeleDiet group participated in dietary education using a messaging application. The primary outcome was the change of the Mediterranean diet score (MedDietScore). The Nutrition-Score, a modification of the MedDietScore, blood tests (blood lipids, blood glucose and kidney function), body mass index, self-efficacy, medication adherence and health-related quality of life during the observation period were analysed as secondary outcomes. Results: Sixty participants participated in the study. The difference in the MedDietScore in the TeleDiet group was greater than in the control group, but not significant (2.0 [−1.0, 4.0] vs. 0.0 [−3.0, 1.5], p = 0.066). The difference in the Nutrition-Score in the TeleDiet group was significantly greater than in the control group (3.0 [1.0, 3.5] vs. 0.0 [−3.0, 2.0], p = 0.029). Nutrition knowledge of the TeleDiet group improved significantly compared to the control group (1.9 ± 1.7 vs. 0.8 ± 2.1, p = 0.048). Conclusions: A feedback system using a simple messaging application that allows patients with CAD to simply send a picture of their food has a positive effect on nutrition knowledge. It could be a hint for the implementation of the Mediterranean diet.