The Effects of Text Messages for Promoting Physical Activities in Prediabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To test the effects of text messages for promoting physical activities in people with prediabetes. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was performed in participants with prediabetes. Participants were recruited from a primary care unit. Allocation to the study groups used a stratified block randomization. All participants received physical activity education at baseline. The intervention group additionally received supportive text messages by using mobile phone text messages. Participants were assessed at baseline at 8 and 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was physical activity energy. Secondary outcomes included weight, body mass index, waist circumstance, and blood pressure. Results: All participants were included in the analyses ( n = 324; control: n = 162; intervention: n = 162). Mean physical activity energy was significantly increased in those who received text messages at 8 weeks, increasing 1,590.73 Metabolic Equivalent of Tasks (METs)/min/week (95% confidence interval [CI]: 837.72, 2343.75) in the intervention group and 407.39 METs/min/weeks (95% CI: −267.59, 1082.36) in the control group with an adjusted mean difference of −1,183 METs/min/weeks (95% CI: −2190.11, −176.58, p = 0.02). Over the 12 weeks follow-up period, mean physical activity energy did not differ statistically by group. Mixed-model repeated-measures analysis of the total physical energy revealed no significant differences, with an adjusted mean difference 273.3 METs/min/week (95% CI: −530.64, 1077.21, p = 0.513). However, moderate physical energy was significantly increased to 256.40 METs/min/week (95% CI: 17.20, 495.63, p = 0.040). Conclusion: Text messaging significant in physical activity at the 8-week. But, text messaging no significant in physical activity at 12-week. Further research is needed to identify optimal times to send messages to people with prediabetes. Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR), number: TCTR20200624008.