Title: A Voice of Support for Diabetes Management

Original Article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2812420

Insulin and type 2 diabetes: Technology comes to the rescue

Over time almost 1 in 4 people with type 2 diabetes are prescribed insulin. Working out the most safe and effective dose of is not always easy. To little insulin and blood glucose levels can become too high increasing the risk of severe, uncontrolled diabetes, too much insulin can have the opposite effect resulting in hypoglycemia which can cause dizziness, confusion, unusual behaviors and even lead to seizures, coma and sudden death. Now researchers have looked at whether a smart speaker combined with artificial intelligence can make it easier to use insulin. 

How the Study Was Done

In this new study, 32 adults with type 2 diabetes who needed to start or change their once-daily insulin volunteered. They were split into two groups: one using the AI program and the other getting usual care without the help of technology. The researchers looked at how quickly participants found the right insulin dose, how well they stuck to using insulin, and how they felt about their diabetes and the technology. The study lasted for 8 weeks, and the results were analyzed in early 2023.

Positive Results with Voice-Based AI

The group using the AI program did better in many ways. They found the right insulin dose faster, stuck to using insulin better, and had fewer emotional issues related to diabetes. More people in the AI group also got their blood sugar under control compared to the regular care group. This shows that using voice-based applications could be a helpful way for people with diabetes to manage their medication.