Product Highlight
Condition targeted:
Depression in people with diabetes
How it works:
HelloBetter Diabetes is an online program that treats depressive symptoms in people with type 1 and 2 diabetes. This digital intervention was developed and evaluated by a team of scientists and psychotherapists and is based on proven cognitive behavioral therapy concepts. This program was found to be effective in randomized controlled trial and has high satisfaction rates with 92% saying that they would recommend the program to a friend.
Impact:
Clinically proven to reduce depressive symptoms and diabetes-related emotional distress, and improve quality of life for individuals with diabetes.
Product Overview
Medical condition:
The co-occurence of depressive symptoms and type 1 or type 2 Diabetes.
Target patient population:
Diabetic patients over the age of 18 who wish to overcome their depression.
What to expect:
HelloBetter Diabetes is a 12-week program that is structured into six core units, with two optional units, and an additional follow-up unit.
Note: for more information, please visit https://hellobetter.de/online-kurse/diabetes/
Clinical Overview
Indications for use:
HelloBetter Diabetes is a digital therapeutic program aimed at reducing the severity of depressive symptoms in individuals with comorbid type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Outcomes:
Participants reported a sustained reduction of depressive symptoms and diabetes-related emotional distress, as well as an improved quality of life.
Directions:
HelloBetter Diabetes delivers well-founded psychoeducation via text, video, and audio recordings, and teaches effective strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) concepts. These include behavioral activation, problem-solving techniques, strategies for coping with rumination, and self-reflection exercises. The exercises are taught throughout the online intervention and can be integrated into everyday life. Goals are set and formulated in such a way that they are specific, realistic, and achievable. The online program consists of six core units, two optional units, and an additional follow-up unit. We recommend completing one unit per week, plus four more follow-up weeks after completing the course. Each unit takes approximately 45-60 minutes to complete. In addition to the units and practical exercises, the program grants access to an online journal, and recurring symptom checks to record, monitor, and evaluate one’s own progress.
Risks & warnings:
HelloBetter Diabetes may not be suitable for people without internet, wifi, a mobile or desktop device. This digital therapeutic was developed and evaluated on adults aged 18 years and older.
Place in therapy:
Complementary to therapy or as a standalone solution. The program is also suitable for bridging the waiting time for a place in psychotherapy and as support after treatment has been completed.
Product Access
Product description:
HelloBetter Diabetes is accessible through mobile and web.
Prescription status:
A prescription is not required. In Germany, it has been listed as a digital health application (‘DiGA’), meaning that a diagnosis or prescription leads to universal reimbursement. However, individuals without a diagnosis can access the program through self-pay, or via their care provider.
Patient access:
Eligible users can access the program online, or through the HelloBetter app on iOS or Android devices.
Use of this product requires access to:
- Internet or wifi
- and a mobile phone, tablet, or computer
Provider access:
Full provider access is given if providers (e.g. clinic) purchase HelloBetter through their ‘Software-As-A-Service’ offering, which allows providers to add patients, choose products for patients, guide the patients, through the product via messages, chat, and regular feedback, etc. Patients may choose to export their information via a downloadable file to certain healthcare providers. This file contains all relevant information on patient progress and symptoms and can be integrated with major EHRs going forward.
Coverage options:
In Germany, HelloBetter Diabetes is eligible for prescription and covered by statutory health insurance in Germany – making it available free of charge to over 50 million people.
Product availability:
HelloBetter Diabetes is available in:
- Germany: Class I CE mark (MDD)
- Switzerland: Class I CE mark (MDD)
- Austria: Class I CE mark (MDD)
Unique Features.
HelloBetter Diabetes is the first and only clinically-validated digital intervention for the treatment of depressive symptoms in people with type 1 and 2 diabetes.
Clinical Trials
The provided set of evidence represents a sample of conducted studies. For a comprehensive collection contact manufacturers directly.
- Study Title: Efficacy of a web-based intervention with mobile phone support in treating depressive symptoms in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial – 2015
Study Design: Randomized controlled trial
Outcomes: After using HelloBetter Diabetes , depressive symptoms were significantly lower compared to the control group. 65 % of patients experienced a substantial reduction of symptoms and 50 % of patients had no clinical symptoms after the program. - Study Title: The 6-month effectiveness of Internet-based guided self-help for depression in adults with Type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus – 2016
Study Design: Randomized controlled trial
Outcomes: Results of this study indicate that HelloBetter Diabetes can have sustained effects on depressive symptoms in participants with diabetes. Six months after randomization, depressive symptoms were significantly lower in participants that used HelloBetter Diabetes with 45 % of participants showing no clinically relevant symptoms anymore.
Note: for more research, please visit https://hellobetter.de/en/research/