- 10.00: Trial lecture: Digital health and AI in chronic disease self management: opportunities and risks.
- 12.00: Public defence
The ordinary opponents are:
- First opponent: Researcher Vera Buss, University College London, United Kingdom
- Second opponent: Professor Eirik Årsand, UiT The Arctic University of Norway
- Leader of the committee: Associate professor Tuva Moseng, OsloMet
The leader of the public defense is Associate Professor Brita Stanghelle, OsloMet.
The main supervisor is Associate Professor Birgitta Blakstad Nilsson, OsloMet.
The co-supervisors are Associate Professor Gunvor Hilde, OsloMet, Professor Emerita Astrid Bergland, OsloMet and Physiotherapist, PhD Cecilie Fromholt Olsen, Oslo University Hospital.
Thesis abstract
Type 2 diabetes is a significant global health challenge, contributing to a substantial disease burden.
Prediabetes, the stage preceding the development of type 2 diabetes, offers a critical phase and opportunity for lifestyle modifications to prevent disease progression. Lifestyle changes, such as increased physical activity and a high-fibre diet, are crucial in combating type 2 diabetes.
In the municipal health care in Norway, health promoting services offer lifestyle interventions through Healthy Life Centres to individuals with various health challenges.
Digital interventions, especially apps, have shown considerable potential in supporting these changes for patients facing lifestyle challenges.
With the anticipated rise in prediabetes prevalence, we aimed to develop an app that could alleviate the burden on the healthcare system by providing early support for lifestyle changes.
This PhD project focuses on the development and evaluation of the app Plunde (People Living UNDEr change), designed to guide and support individuals with prediabetes in establishing and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits. The project comprised three studies.
Study 1
The first study synthesised results from existing qualitative studies on barriers and facilitators for lifestyle changes in a qualitative meta-synthesis.
This analysis provided valuable insights into the social and individual factors influencing lifestyle changes. Findings from the first study, along with previous research experience from the research group, formed the foundation for developing a prototype of Plunde.
Study 2
The second study assessed the usability of the prototype among individuals with prediabetes, who provided direct feedback in a test situation where they verbalised their experiences and thoughts while navigating the app.
The results led to minor adjustments to Plunde before testing in a feasibility study.
Study 3
The third study assessed the feasibility of using Plunde to promote lifestyle change in individuals with prediabetes. Additionally, we explored the time required for participant recruitment, guidance time via Plunde, and experiences with potential outcome measures.
Participants were recruited through their general practitioners and randomly assigned to receive follow-up via Plunde, a Healthy Life Centre, or a combination of both.
Results indicated high user satisfaction with Plunde, with participants particularly motivated by the ability to communicate directly with healthcare professionals via the app. Healthcare professionals spent minimal time monitoring and offering lifestyle interventions through Plunde, but participant recruitment was slow.
Conclusion
Overall, this PhD project demonstrated that Plunde is user-friendly and feasible for facilitating lifestyle changes among individuals with prediabetes.
About the project
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Stepping stones for successful evaluation of mobile app efficacy for risk reduction of type 2 diabetes
In this PhD project, we developed and assessed the feasibility of an evidence-based app designed to promote and monitor lifestyle change in individuals with prediabetes.
