OneSTOP (One-Stop Telehealth Obesity Program): the Use of Telecare and Digital Platforms for Multidisciplinary Management of Weight Management and Related Comorbidities
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the use of a care model including teleconsults and the EMPOWER app can induce clinically significant weight loss and metabolic improvements in obese adults with diabetes and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Researchers will compare this model with the conventional standard of care of physical visit-based weight management program to see if this model is non-inferior to the standard of care for inducing weight loss, and if there is greater patient convenience with telehealth and more frequent self-monitoring, compliance with diet advice and exercise participation compared to standard of care. Participants in the standard arm will attend 4 physical doctor and 4 physical dietician consultations over 26 weeks, where they will be provided with an individualized diet and exercise prescription to induce at least 5% weight loss. Participants in the intervention arm will have the same number of consults over 26 weeks, of which at least 50% will be teleconsults, and will also be provided with an individualized diet and exercise prescription to induce at least 5% weight loss. In addition, they will be taught to use the EMPOWER app to upload weight, blood pressure and glucose, food and exercise records which will be reviewed at the consults. The app also delivers nudges to improve adherence to lifestyle modification.
• Adults aged 21-70
• Body mass index \> 27.5 kg/m2
• Waist circumference \> 90 cm in men or 80 cm in women
• Suboptimal control of type 2 diabetes (HbA1c \> 6.5%) AND/OR MASLD (as defined on radiological or histological evidence of hepatic steatosis in the absence of other chronic liver disease)