A Health Guidance App to Improve Motivation, Adherence to Lifestyle Changes and Indicators of Metabolic Disturbances among Japanese Civil Servants

We investigated whether an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) application (app) motivated to increase adherence to lifestyle changes, and to improve indicators of metabolic disturbances among Japanese civil servants. A non-randomized, open-label, parallel-group study was conducted with 102 participants aged 20–65 years undergoing a health check during 2016–2017, having overweight and/or elevated glucose concentration. Among them, 63 participants chose Specific Health Guidance (SHG) and ongoing support incorporating the use of an app (ICT group) and 39 individuals chose only SHG (control group). Fifty from the ICT group and 38 from the control group completed the study. After completing the 6-month program, the control group showed a significant decrease in body mass index (p = 0.008), male waist circumference (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (BP) (p = 0.005), diastolic BP (p < 0.001), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (p < 0.001), and increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p = 0.008). However, the ICT group showed a significant decrease in male waist circumference (p < 0.001), diastolic BP (p = 0.003), and HbA1c (p < 0.001), and increase in HDL cholesterol (p = 0.032). The magnitude of change for most indicators tended to be highest for ICT participants (used the app ≥5 times/month). Both groups reported raised awareness on BP and weight. The app use program did not have a major impact after the observation period. Proper action requires frequent use of the app to enhance best results.