Impact of technology use in type 2 diabetes distress: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: Diabetes distress is an important factor in treatment outcomes and results in poor behavioral and biological consequences. Technology has been used in management programs of diabetes to improve communication between patients and health care providers and to promote education about the disease and its psychological aspects, which can impact the self-efficacy of the programs. However, the true impact of technological approaches on the management of type 2 diabetes distress remains controversial. AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of technology interventions on the management of type 2 diabetes distress. METHODS: Studies published from 2014 to 2019 were searched in five databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, Library and Information Science Source, Academic Search Ultimate and PsycINFO. The Boolean logic search terms were: (1) T2Diabetes; (2) diabetes distress; and (3) technology OR mobile OR phone OR application OR web. We also systematically searched the reference lists of the included studies and relevant reviews. Randomized controlled trials with technology interventions, type 2 diabetes patients and diabetes distress as the outcome were selected. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement was followed. RESULTS: Of the 88 studies selected, nine full articles met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to final careful review. On the JADAD scale, one article was classified as having poor quality and eight as having good quality. Six out of nine articles showed that technology interventions had a positive impact on diabetes distress scale scores when compared with the initial data. Among the six articles, five showed a greater reduction in the diabetes distress scores from control interventions. Web-based interventions had good results when users received personalized feedback and routine caregiver support and attention. CONCLUSION: Technology interventions can contribute positively to the management of type 2 diabetes distress, especially with a tailored approach in conjunction with caregiver interaction with patients.