The EMPOWER app is developed by researchers and clinicians from SingHealth, Duke-NUS Medical School and the National University of Singapore using funding from the MOH National Innovation Challenge (NIC) on Active and Confident Ageing, the AI Singapore Grand Challenge funding scheme, the MOH and SingHealth HPHSR Clinician Scientist Award as well as the MOH Health Innovation (MHI) funding scheme.
Unmet Needs
Traditional healthcare facilities are unable to consistently monitor and support patients outside of clinic visits and this can hamper recovery efforts. A cost-effective yet personalised solution to implement chronic disease self-management at a population level is needed.
In light of the well-documented gaps in chronic care management, EMPOWER aims to create a novel model for chronic disease self-management to promote and sustain behavioral changes among patients with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The model includes:
- AI-powered notifications providing timely and relevant nudges for healthy lifestyle behavior
- Motivational interviewing to encourage users to accomplish their health goals
- Health coaching to aid those in need of more assistance
Impact – Usability of the App
During the EMPOWER co-design process with patients, finding shows that the EMPOWER app is highly usable and acceptable, as participants can complete logging tasks while navigating the app fluently with little back and forth navigation and appreciate the personalised nudge.
Impact – Improving Glycemic Control
Follow-up is currently underway for the EMPOWER randomised controlled trial at the SingHealth Polyclinics, and our preliminary analysis demonstrated the beneficial effect of the EMPOWER mobile app in improving glycemic control. The EMPOWER app also appears to be effective in improving physical activity level in terms of increasing step count level. The team is developing app-based motivational interviewing modules to further support sustainable behavioral change among patients with diabetes.
EMPOWER app may be effective in increasing physical activity level.
Participate in our Study today!
If you are aged 21 years and above, clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and are physically able to exercise, we need YOU in our study! Scan the QR code below to register your interest to participate in EMPOWER and our research coordinators will get in touch with you soon!
All successfully recruited participants will receive a Fitbit smartwatch to enable the tracking of fitness and health data.
