Exploring the experience of, and attitudes towards, mobile technology to support active lifestyles in adults with type 2 diabetes

Aims: To explore the experience of, and attitudes towards, mobile-based technology to support active lifestyles in adults with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Participants (n=10, 5F/5M, Mean age=60.7 10.9, Mean BMI=30.8 4.9) with non-insulin managed type 2 diabetes. Participants wore an activPAL and FreeStyle Libre and completed a demographic questionnaire before taking part in a one-to-one semi-structured interview. The data were analysed using a directed content analysis. Concurrent deductive and inductive analysis were used to identify first-order (n=13), second-order (n=6) and subsequent key themes (n=3). Results: All participants had a positive attitude towards leading a more active lifestyle, some (n=3) were particularly positive if it would aid self-management. There was a common feeling amongst participants that they naturally broke their sedentary behaviour regularly. Most (n=9) felt hourly breaks would be acceptable and feasible, but anything more frequent would be disruptive. Instant and visual feedback was seen as the most important aspect of technology. Participants felt that technology would give them a feeling of control over their own self-management, something they didn’t feel they had. Long-term behaviour change would require making new habits and to do so random prompts from technology would be needed. However, many participants did not want to be reminded to stand up too often as they felt this would be too regimented and annoying. Conclusions: Future research should focus on developing technology that integrates activity and glucose monitoring, providing users with visual feedback and using random prompts as a way of encouraging a more active lifestyle.