Health Provider’s Feedback on Physical Activity Surveillance Using Wearable Device-Smartphone Application for Adults with Metabolic Syndrome; a 12-Week Randomized Control Study

PURPOSE: Research on whether wearable device interventions can effectively prevent metabolic syndrome remains insufficient. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feedback on clinical indicators in patients with metabolic syndrome on activities measured using wearable devices, such as smartphone apps. METHODS: Patients with metabolic syndrome were recruited and prescribed to live for 12 weeks using a wrist-wearable device (B.BAND, B Life Inc., Korea). A block randomization method was used to distribute participants between the intervention (n=35) and control groups (n=32). In the intervention group, an experienced study coordinator provided feedback on physical activity to individuals through telephonic counseling every other week. RESULTS: The mean number of steps in the control group was 8892.86 (4473.53), and those in the intervention group was 10,129.31 (4224.11). After 12 weeks, metabolic syndrome was resolved. Notably, there were statistically significant differences in the metabolic composition among the participants who completed the intervention. The mean number of metabolic disorder components per person remained at 3 in the control group, and decreased from 4 to 3 in the intervention group. Additionally, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and triglyceride levels were significantly reduced, while HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly increased in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: Overall, 12 weeks of telephonic counseling intervention using wearable device-based physical activity confirmation improved the damaged metabolic components of patients with metabolic syndrome. Telephonic intervention can help increase physical activity and reduce waist circumference, which is a typical clinical indicator of metabolic syndrome.