The CASCADe program includes 1) a home visit for training of monitoring devices use, WeChat app and acquiring family support, 2) 8 weekly education sessions with a combined format of group class, games, food demonstration, group exercise, video and discussion, 3) WeChat follow-up on education tips, monitoring data summary, and group discussion. The monitoring system used a smartphone to coordinate cloud data transmission from a set of wireless devices to capture daily monitoring data on physical activity, body weight, blood pressure and blood glucose levels. WeChat app was used to facilitate behavioral self-monitoring by providing daily messages related to diabetes education curriculum, weekly summary reports on monitoring data as well as reinforcement messages and group discussion on readings and monitoring results implication. A single group pre-post-test design was adopted to evaluate changes of primary (HbA1c) and secondary (Self-efficacy, quality of life and stress coping) outcomes assessed at pre and post of intervention. Engagement and adherence in education sessions and self-monitoring system, and satisfaction with the content and delivery of intervention were also evaluated at the end of the study.
The project aimed to evaluate the implementation process and efficacy of a culturally tailored Diabetes Self-Management and Education (DSME) program with mobile health (mHealth) technology integration, entitled Culturally Appropriate Strategies for Chinese Americans with Diabetes (CASCADe), among Chinese American adults with Type 2 diabetes.