Long-Term Efficacy of primary care combining a mobile healthcare application with human coaching

BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases have become a global burden, and digital self-healthcare using mobile devices has gained importance in managing these conditions. However, barriers to implementing mobile self-management healthcare applications in current primary care system, and previous research has focused on short-term effects. This study aims to evaluate the long-lasting effect of combining human coaching with mobile self-management healthcare applications for chronic disease patients in primary healthcare services. METHODS: The study recruited 178 patients with chronic diseases from participating primary care clinics. The intervention group (N = 128) received a 12-week mobile self-management healthcare application service combined with traditional primary care, while the control group (N = 50) received only traditional healthcare. The Noom application was used, with two weekly human coaching sessions by a nutritionist. A telephone survey on weight changes was conducted one year after the intervention. RESULTS: The intervention group showed a greater weight loss compared to the control group during the intervention period (Intervention: -1.29 ± 2.94 vs Control: -0.38 ± 1.72, P-value 0.002). Although there was no statistically significant difference in additional weight change between the two groups during the follow-up period, the difference in weight loss during the intervention period was maintained (Intervention: -2.16 ± 5.54 vs Control: -1.06 ± 3.24, P-value: 0.008). Additionally, among the intervention group continuously for 1 year using the health management application, the average weight loss was higher than the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Combining a mobile self-management healthcare application with human coaching has long-lasting effects and can be effective in primary healthcare services. This suggests that such an approach has the potential to be a treatment option in current primary healthcare systems, but further large-scale long-term studies are needed. KEY MESSAGES: • This study suggests that using mobile self-management healthcare apps with human coaching can be an effective long-term treatment option for chronic disease patients in primary healthcare services. • The combination of the two methods may provide better outcomes than traditional healthcare services alone.