Can a Diabetes App Help Control Blood Sugar in 16 Weeks?

What Was Studied and Why It Matters

Researchers in Brunei set out to test whether a smartphone-based program could meaningfully improve blood sugar control in people living with type 2 diabetes — without requiring regular in-person clinic visits. With nearly 1 in 10 Bruneian adults affected by diabetes, and the condition ranking as the country's third leading cause of death, finding scalable, accessible solutions is urgent.

The program, called BALANCE, runs entirely through a national health app called BruHealth. This 16-week digital intervention is one of the first government-backed, country-wide studies to put a fully online diabetes management program to the test.

How the Program Works

Participants aged 18 to 70 with type 2 diabetes enrolled in a 16-week online program that included:

• Diabetes self-management education delivered through the app
• Personalized diet and exercise plans tailored to each participant
• Self-monitoring tools including a glucometer and smartwatch to track blood sugar and activity
• Health coach support via video consultations and instant messaging

Health coaches could monitor participant progress through a separate professional portal, allowing them to step in with guidance when needed. The program also considered cultural and religious factors — including personalized risk guidance for Muslim participants who fast during Ramadan, using an internationally recognized fasting risk scoring tool.

What the Researchers Are Looking For

The main goal is to find out how many participants achieve at least a 0.6% drop in HbA1c — a key blood test that reflects average blood sugar levels over roughly three months. Even a modest reduction in HbA1c can significantly lower the risk of serious diabetes complications like nerve damage, kidney disease, and vision loss.

Researchers are also tracking changes in cholesterol levels, fasting blood glucose, body weight (BMI), and waist size — all important markers of overall metabolic health in people with diabetes.

Early Results Look Promising

Of the 459 participants enrolled, an impressive 422 — nearly 92% — completed the full 16-week program. This high completion rate suggests that people with type 2 diabetes are willing and able to engage with digital health tools when they are well-designed, culturally relevant, and conveniently available. Full results are expected in early 2026.

What This Means for Patients

This study reinforces a growing body of evidence that digital tools — apps, wearables, remote coaching — can play a real role in day-to-day diabetes management. For patients who face barriers to frequent clinic visits, whether due to distance, time, or cost, programs like BALANCE offer a practical path to better control.

Consistent self-monitoring is central to any successful diabetes management plan. Whether you use a continuous glucose monitor or a traditional glucometer, having reliable supplies on hand matters. MDS Diabetes offers a wide range of glucose monitoring supplies to help patients stay on top of their numbers between appointments.

Bottom Line

The BALANCE program shows strong early promise as a fully digital solution for managing type 2 diabetes. By combining education, personalized plans, wearable tracking, and remote coaching in one app, it addresses many of the real-world challenges patients face. With results due in 2026, this study could help shape how digital diabetes care is delivered around the world — and remind us that the right tools, used consistently, can make a meaningful difference.