Self-management via computer and mobile phone provides “limited benefits” for diabetes patients, according to a review by health researchers published in The Cochrane Library.

The review said using a PC or phone did have small positive effects on patients’ blood sugar levels but the benefits appear short-lived.

The researchers looked at data from 16 trials involving a total of 3,578 people with type 2 diabetes. The patients used PCs or mobile phones for periods varying from one to 12 months.

Noting the improvements to blood sugar levels, the researchers said the benefits were greater where the self-care programme was delivered via mobile phone.

However, the positive effect fell away after six months and there was no evidence that either PC or mobile phone helped with patients’ depression, quality of life or weight.

“Our review shows that although popular, computer-based diabetes self-management interventions currently have limited evidence supporting their use,” said lead researcher, Kingshuk Pal of the Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health at UCL in the UK.

Pal also noted there have been few studies conducted into the cost-effectiveness or long-term impact of using technology.

He did see some evidence of a computer-based approach improving knowledge about diabetes among patients, although this did not seem to correspond to changes in diet or exercise.

Managing chronic diseases such as diabetes is considered among the most promising market for mobile health services.

However, the findings are not so clear cut as first appears, according to Mobihealthnews which points out the “the differences between the various interventions in the study are considerable, to the point where it’s hard to say how valuable the data really is”. Some of the interventions use only the PC to reach patients with no interactive element, while other trials are focused on the role of social networks.