Trial to Incentivise Adherence for Diabetes

NCT ID: NCT02224417

Last Updated: 2019-01-23

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

240 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2015-03-31

Study Completion Date

2018-10-31

Brief Summary

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Type II diabetes is associated with a host of adverse and costly complications, including heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney failure, and severe neuropathy that may result in amputations. For those with diabetes, glycemic control is essential to minimize complications but many fail at being sufficiently adherent to their treatment. The investigators propose to test two incentive-based intervention strategies aimed at improving diabetes outcomes amongst patients with uncontrolled glycemic levels. The incentives are tied either to processes aimed at improving blood sugar levels (glucose testing, physical activity and medication adherence) or directly to the intermediary outcome (blood glucose in the acceptable range). While process incentives are likely to provide more motivation for treatment adherence, as these goals may be comparably easier to meet, these incentives only reward intermediary outcomes and it might be more effective to reward successfully achieving a health outcome directly.

Detailed Description

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Type II diabetes is associated with a host of adverse and costly complications, including heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney failure, and severe neuropathy that may result in amputations. For those with diabetes, intensive glycemic control is essential to minimize complications. Medication adherence, weight loss, increased exercise and improved diet have all been shown to significantly improve glycemic control, resulting in improved health outcomes and lower medical costs, including a reduction in emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Yet, despite the significant health benefits associated with adherence to diet and exercise regimes and taking diabetes medications as prescribed, non-adherence to all three is a significant problem. One strategy to improve adherence and thus long term health outcomes is to provide a clearer short term benefit. For example, those with consistent evidence of adherence to an exercise or medication regimen could receive subsidies or incentives.

Therefore, the investigators propose to test three theory-based intervention strategies aimed at improving diabetes outcomes amongst a population of uncontrolled patients (Haemoglobin A1c, HbA1c, levels of 8.0 or greater at baseline). The proposed 6-month study will randomise 240 participants, 60 in the control arm and 90 in each incentivized arm from the Geylang Polyclinic. The first strategy does not involve incentives but includes a Diabetes Educational Program (DEP) to help the patient manage their condition. Included in the program are text messages to encourage participants to take their medications as prescribed and prompt good dietary and exercise practices. Subsequent strategies incorporate incentives as core components. The incentives are tied either to processes aimed at improving blood sugar levels (glucose testing, physical activity and medication adherence) or directly to the intermediary outcome (blood glucose in the acceptable range). While process incentives are likely to provide more motivation for treatment adherence, as these goals may be comparably easier to meet, these incentives only reward intermediary outcomes and it might be more effective to reward successfully achieving a health outcome directly. The investigators see this as an important empirical question that will be answered by our proposed trial. Another advantage of outcome incentives is that they are likely to be more cost-effective than process incentives as these incentives are only spent on results.

Aims and hypotheses that will be tested:

* Aim 1A: To determine if adding financial incentives for diabetes management to a Diabetes Educational Program (DEP), which comprises text messaging and use of study devices to encourage patient medical adherence and prompt good dietary as well as exercise practices, is more effective at improving diabetes health outcomes compared to the DEP alone.
* Hypothesis 1A: The average reduction in HbA1c levels at 6 months will be greater for participants in the incentive arms compared to participants in the DEP arm.
* Aim 1B: To determine whether incentivising health outcome (self-monitored blood sugar within acceptable range) is more effective at improving diabetes health outcomes than incentivising intermediate processes (blood glucose testing, physical activity and medical adherence) aimed at improving the primary outcome.
* Hypothesis 1B: The average reduction in HbA1c levels at 6 months will be greater for participants in the health outcome incentive arm compared to participants in the processes incentive arm.
* Aim 2: To determine which intervention (i.e. incentivising processes or outcome) is more cost effective (incrementally) at achieving reductions in HbA1c levels at 6 months.
* Hypothesis 2: The Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) of the intervention incentivising health outcome will be greater than that of the intervention incentivising processes.
* Aim 3A: To determine whether adding financial incentives for diabetes management is more effective at improving treatment adherence (assessed based on whether self-monitored blood sugar falls within acceptable range) than incentivizing intermediate processes aimed at improving the primary outcome.
* Hypothesis 3A: The average increase in the proportion of medications and blood tests taken as prescribed and average number of daily steps at 6 months will be greater for participants in the incentive arms compared to participants in the DEP arm.
* Aim 3B: To determine whether incentivising treatment adherence (through assessing if self-monitored blood sugar falls within acceptable range) is more effective at improving treatment adherence than incentivising intermediate processes aimed at improving the primary outcome.
* Hypothesis 3B: The average increase in the proportion of medications and blood tests taken as prescribed and average number of daily steps at 6 months will be greater for participants in the outcome incentive arms compared to participants in the processes incentive arms.

Conditions

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Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Diabetes Educational Program (DEP) only

Participants will receive the Diabetes Educational Program, as required, which is part of usual care at the Polyclinic. They will receive the Fitbit ™, the eCAP, and a glucometer (if they do not already have one).

Group Type OTHER

Diabetes Educational Program (DEP)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants in this Arm will receive the Diabetes Educational Program (DEP), as required, which is part of usual care at the Polyclinic. It is delivered by a Health Counsellor at the point of diagnosis and focused education is provided during doctor visits for medication. The program at the Polyclinic comprises information on a series of diabetes-related issues.

The participant will receive the 2 or 3 study devices (patients will receive a glucometer if they do not already have one). The Site Study Coordinator will provide education on the use of the Fitbit Zip™ and the eCAP™. As part of usual care, patients who have difficulties with their glucometer will be referred to a Health Counsellor at the Polyclinic.

DEP + Process Incentive Arm

Participants will receive the Diabetes Educational Program, as required. They will receive the Fitbit ™, the eCAP, and a glucometer (if they do not already have one). They will also have the opportunity to earn financial incentives for meeting specified process goals.

Group Type OTHER

Diabetes Educational Program (DEP)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants in this Arm will receive the Diabetes Educational Program (DEP), as required, which is part of usual care at the Polyclinic. It is delivered by a Health Counsellor at the point of diagnosis and focused education is provided during doctor visits for medication. The program at the Polyclinic comprises information on a series of diabetes-related issues.

The participant will receive the 2 or 3 study devices (patients will receive a glucometer if they do not already have one). The Site Study Coordinator will provide education on the use of the Fitbit Zip™ and the eCAP™. As part of usual care, patients who have difficulties with their glucometer will be referred to a Health Counsellor at the Polyclinic.

DEP + Process Incentive

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive the DEP as required. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to earn financial incentives (in vouchers) for meeting specified goals:

* SGD3.50 weekly for meeting Glucose testing goals: measuring blood glucose on three non-consecutive days each week.
* SGD0.50 daily for Medication adherence: taking medications daily as prescribed, monitored by eCAP device. Assessed based on medication-taking times within specified time windows. Participants should be adherent at all specified mealtimes to be fully adherent for the day.
* SGD1.00 daily for Regular Physical activity: taking 8,000 steps during the day as recorded by Fitbit.

DEP + Outcome Incentive Arm

Participants will receive the Diabetes Educational Program, as required. They will receive the Fitbit ™, the eCAP, and a glucometer (if they do not already have one). They will also have the opportunity to earn financial incentives for meeting specified outcome goals.

Group Type OTHER

Diabetes Educational Program (DEP)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants in this Arm will receive the Diabetes Educational Program (DEP), as required, which is part of usual care at the Polyclinic. It is delivered by a Health Counsellor at the point of diagnosis and focused education is provided during doctor visits for medication. The program at the Polyclinic comprises information on a series of diabetes-related issues.

The participant will receive the 2 or 3 study devices (patients will receive a glucometer if they do not already have one). The Site Study Coordinator will provide education on the use of the Fitbit Zip™ and the eCAP™. As part of usual care, patients who have difficulties with their glucometer will be referred to a Health Counsellor at the Polyclinic.

DEP + Outcome Incentive

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive the DEP as required. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to earn financial incentives (in vouchers) for recording glucose readings within the normal range (i.e. between 4 to 7mmols/L two before a meal) on 3 non-consecutive days within the week using the glucometer.

* SGD 2 weekly if one glucose readings falls within the normal range,
* SGD 7 weekly if two glucose readings fall within the normal range,
* SGD 14 weekly if all three glucose readings fall within the normal range.

Interventions

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Diabetes Educational Program (DEP)

Participants in this Arm will receive the Diabetes Educational Program (DEP), as required, which is part of usual care at the Polyclinic. It is delivered by a Health Counsellor at the point of diagnosis and focused education is provided during doctor visits for medication. The program at the Polyclinic comprises information on a series of diabetes-related issues.

The participant will receive the 2 or 3 study devices (patients will receive a glucometer if they do not already have one). The Site Study Coordinator will provide education on the use of the Fitbit Zip™ and the eCAP™. As part of usual care, patients who have difficulties with their glucometer will be referred to a Health Counsellor at the Polyclinic.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

DEP + Process Incentive

Participants will receive the DEP as required. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to earn financial incentives (in vouchers) for meeting specified goals:

* SGD3.50 weekly for meeting Glucose testing goals: measuring blood glucose on three non-consecutive days each week.
* SGD0.50 daily for Medication adherence: taking medications daily as prescribed, monitored by eCAP device. Assessed based on medication-taking times within specified time windows. Participants should be adherent at all specified mealtimes to be fully adherent for the day.
* SGD1.00 daily for Regular Physical activity: taking 8,000 steps during the day as recorded by Fitbit.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

DEP + Outcome Incentive

Participants will receive the DEP as required. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to earn financial incentives (in vouchers) for recording glucose readings within the normal range (i.e. between 4 to 7mmols/L two before a meal) on 3 non-consecutive days within the week using the glucometer.

* SGD 2 weekly if one glucose readings falls within the normal range,
* SGD 7 weekly if two glucose readings fall within the normal range,
* SGD 14 weekly if all three glucose readings fall within the normal range.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Participants need to be uncontrolled diabetics at Baseline. Uncontrolled diabetes is defined by a HbA1c level 8.0 or greater. Participants will be required to have at least 1 of 2 HbA1c readings 8.0 or greater in the past 6 months.
* Be prescribed at least one diabetic medication for at least three months and be willing to have this verified by a physician.
* Be Singaporean citizens or Permanent Residents.
* Be able to converse in English or Mandarin.

Exclusion Criteria

* Individuals on inject-able insulin therapy.
* Individuals with significant co-morbid conditions such that they are unlikely to be able to take their medications without assistance from a third party.
* Individuals who are pregnant.
* Individuals who fail the PARQ and do not obtain doctor's consent.
Minimum Eligible Age

21 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

70 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Marcel Bilger

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Marcel Bilger

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School

Locations

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SingHealth Polyclinics (Geylang)

Singapore, , Singapore

Site Status

SingHealth Polyclinic (Bedok)

Singapore, , Singapore

Site Status

Countries

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Singapore

References

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Cohen ND, Dunstan DW, Robinson C, Vulikh E, Zimmet PZ, Shaw JE. Improved endothelial function following a 14-month resistance exercise training program in adults with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2008 Mar;79(3):405-11. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2007.09.020. Epub 2007 Nov 19.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18006170 (View on PubMed)

Thomas DE, Elliott EJ, Naughton GA. Exercise for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Jul 19;2006(3):CD002968. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002968.pub2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16855995 (View on PubMed)

Umpierre D, Ribeiro PA, Kramer CK, Leitao CB, Zucatti AT, Azevedo MJ, Gross JL, Ribeiro JP, Schaan BD. Physical activity advice only or structured exercise training and association with HbA1c levels in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2011 May 4;305(17):1790-9. doi: 10.1001/jama.2011.576.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21540423 (View on PubMed)

Parker B, Noakes M, Luscombe N, Clifton P. Effect of a high-protein, high-monounsaturated fat weight loss diet on glycemic control and lipid levels in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2002 Mar;25(3):425-30. doi: 10.2337/diacare.25.3.425.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11874925 (View on PubMed)

Encinosa WE, Bernard D, Dor A. Does prescription drug adherence reduce hospitalizations and costs? The case of diabetes. Adv Health Econ Health Serv Res. 2010;22:151-73. doi: 10.1108/s0731-2199(2010)0000022010.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 20575232 (View on PubMed)

Sokol MC, McGuigan KA, Verbrugge RR, Epstein RS. Impact of medication adherence on hospitalization risk and healthcare cost. Med Care. 2005 Jun;43(6):521-30. doi: 10.1097/01.mlr.0000163641.86870.af.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15908846 (View on PubMed)

Chapman GB, Brewer NT, Coups EJ, Brownlee S, Leventhal H, Leventhal EA. Value for the future and preventive health behavior. J Exp Psychol Appl. 2001 Sep;7(3):235-50.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11676102 (View on PubMed)

Elliott RA, Shinogle JA, Peele P, Bhosle M, Hughes DA. Understanding medication compliance and persistence from an economics perspective. Value Health. 2008 Jul-Aug;11(4):600-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4733.2007.00304.x. Epub 2008 Jan 8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18194403 (View on PubMed)

DeFulio A, Silverman K. The use of incentives to reinforce medication adherence. Prev Med. 2012 Nov;55 Suppl(Suppl):S86-94. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.04.017. Epub 2012 May 2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22580095 (View on PubMed)

Giuffrida A, Torgerson DJ. Should we pay the patient? Review of financial incentives to enhance patient compliance. BMJ. 1997 Sep 20;315(7110):703-7. doi: 10.1136/bmj.315.7110.703.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9314754 (View on PubMed)

Johnston M, Sniehotta F. Financial incentives to change patient behaviour. J Health Serv Res Policy. 2010 Jul;15(3):131-2. doi: 10.1258/jhsrp.2010.010048. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 20555040 (View on PubMed)

Volpp KG, John LK, Troxel AB, Norton L, Fassbender J, Loewenstein G. Financial incentive-based approaches for weight loss: a randomized trial. JAMA. 2008 Dec 10;300(22):2631-7. doi: 10.1001/jama.2008.804.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19066383 (View on PubMed)

Ainslie G. Specious reward: a behavioral theory of impulsiveness and impulse control. Psychol Bull. 1975 Jul;82(4):463-96. doi: 10.1037/h0076860. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 1099599 (View on PubMed)

Chernew ME, Juster IA, Shah M, Wegh A, Rosenberg S, Rosen AB, Sokol MC, Yu-Isenberg K, Fendrick AM. Evidence that value-based insurance can be effective. Health Aff (Millwood). 2010 Mar-Apr;29(3):530-6. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2009.0119. Epub 2010 Jan 21.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 20093294 (View on PubMed)

Doshi JA, Zhu J, Lee BY, Kimmel SE, Volpp KG. Impact of a prescription copayment increase on lipid-lowering medication adherence in veterans. Circulation. 2009 Jan 27;119(3):390-7. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.783944. Epub 2009 Jan 12.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19139387 (View on PubMed)

Maciejewski ML, Farley JF, Parker J, Wansink D. Copayment reductions generate greater medication adherence in targeted patients. Health Aff (Millwood). 2010 Nov;29(11):2002-8. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2010.0571.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21041739 (View on PubMed)

Sjostrom CD, Lissner L, Wedel H, Sjostrom L. Reduction in incidence of diabetes, hypertension and lipid disturbances after intentional weight loss induced by bariatric surgery: the SOS Intervention Study. Obes Res. 1999 Sep;7(5):477-84. doi: 10.1002/j.1550-8528.1999.tb00436.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 10509605 (View on PubMed)

Bilger M, Shah M, Tan NC, Tan CYL, Bundoc FG, Bairavi J, Finkelstein EA. Process- and Outcome-Based Financial Incentives to Improve Self-Management and Glycemic Control in People with Type 2 Diabetes in Singapore: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Patient. 2021 Sep;14(5):555-567. doi: 10.1007/s40271-020-00491-y. Epub 2021 Jan 25.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 33491116 (View on PubMed)

Bilger M, Shah M, Tan NC, Howard KL, Xu HY, Lamoureux EL, Finkelstein EA. Trial to Incentivise Adherence for Diabetes (TRIAD): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials. 2017 Nov 17;18(1):551. doi: 10.1186/s13063-017-2288-6.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 29149912 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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NIHA-2013-1-005

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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