Voice-based AI app improves insulin dosage and diabetes management: JAMA

A recent voice-based conversational artificial intelligence (AI) application has demonstrated significant success in optimizing insulin therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes. The results of a randomized clinical trial which was conducted at four primary care clinics in an academic medical center were published in Journal of American Medical Association.

The trial was conducted from March 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022 and involved 32 adults with type 2 diabetes who required initiation or adjustment of once-daily basal insulin. The participants were divided into one receiving basal insulin management through the voice-based conversational AI application, and the other group receiving standard care. The primary outcomes of the study included the time to optimal insulin dose, insulin adherence and changes in a composite survey that measures diabetes-related emotional distress and attitudes toward health technology and medication adherence. Secondary outcomes focused on glycemic control and improvement.

The results found that the participants in the voice-based AI group achieved optimal insulin dosing more rapidly when compared to the standard care group (median, 15 days vs. >56 days). The AI group expressed significantly better insulin adherence with a notable mean difference of 32.7%. The study also found that participants using the AI application were more likely to achieve glycemic control and improvement, highlighting a considerable advancement in diabetes management.

The participants in the AI group experienced a decrease in diabetes-related emotional distress that was indicated by a change in composite survey scores. The findings suggest that voice-based digital health solutions can play a critical role in medication titration for individuals with type 2 diabetes. These results emphasize the potential of AI-driven solutions to empower patients in managing their conditions effectively.

Reference:

Nayak, A., Vakili, S., Nayak, K., Nikolov, M., Chiu, M., Sosseinheimer, P., Talamantes, S., Testa, S., Palanisamy, S., Giri, V., & Schulman, K. (2023). Use of voice-based conversational artificial intelligence for basal insulin prescription management among patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open, 6(12), e2340232. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.40232