A Novel Smartphone App to Change Risk Behaviors of Women after Gestational Diabetes

A novel smartphone app to change risk behaviors of women after gestational diabetes: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One 2022

Screenshots of the TRIANGLE app core features. © PLoS One/Anne Potzel

Mothers who had gestational diabetes during pregnancy have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on. The right lifestyle can significantly reduce this risk. A randomized controlled trial investigated whether the smartphone app TRIANGLE can help with lifestyle changes.

For many young mothers, their own health usually only takes second place after the birth of the child. However, particularly for women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, maintaining a healthy diet, getting sufficient exercise and practicing stress reduction would be important. The right lifestyle can help to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular diseases later on.

Researchers from the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), among others, have developed the smartphone app TRIANGLE to help with lifestyle changes. In a 6-month multicenter, randomized-controlled study, it was investigated whether TRIANGLE helps affected individuals to change their lifestyle compared to standard care.

This first trial did not show the efficacy of the TRIANGLE intervention. However, the app was well accepted and considered helpful by most users. Therefore, this trial supports further development and testing of TRIANGLE and other app interventions for women after GDM. Additionally, it identifies necessary adaptations in trial design to better accommodate non-intensive lifestyle interventions for this target group.


Original publication:
Potzel, A. … Lechner, A.: A novel smartphone app to change risk behaviors of women after gestational diabetes: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One (April 2022). DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267258