A recent Indian clinical trial suggests that personalised WhatsApp reminders may help adults with type 2 diabetes become more physically active and improve blood sugar control.
What the Study Found
The study followed adults aged 30 to 59 receiving care at a rural secondary-level health facility in Delhi. Participants were divided into two groups: one received general health education messages, while the other received personalised reminders twice a week to encourage physical activity.
After four months, the group receiving tailored messages increased its average daily steps by approximately 1,452, compared with around 320 steps in the group receiving general messages.
Blood Sugar Levels Also Improved
Researchers also reported improvements in blood sugar measurements in the personalised-message group. Average random blood glucose decreased by approximately 15.6 mg/dL, while HbA1c fell by 0.90 percentage points.
These results suggest that simple digital reminders may help some people maintain healthier activity habits alongside diabetes care.
Can Digital Reminders Replace Diabetes Treatment?
No. Walking and regular physical activity can support diabetes management, but they should complement—not replace—prescribed medicines, medical appointments and blood sugar monitoring. People with diabetes should discuss suitable activity levels with their healthcare team.
