Using a mobile app to help young people manage type 2 diabetes.
Official title: REFLECT2D: Real-time Engagement For Learning to Effectively Control Type 2 Diabetes
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10980006 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a helpful mobile app called Healthmine that supports teenagers and young adults with type 2 diabetes by tracking their blood sugar, activity, and diet, so they can make healthier choices and better manage their condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $594,591 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK137803-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980006 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults aged 21 and under who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have type 2 diabetes or are over the age of 21 may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the management of type 2 diabetes in adolescents and young adults by utilizing a mobile app called Healthmine. The app integrates continuous glucose monitoring, activity tracking, and diet logging to provide real-time feedback and support for behavior change. By addressing barriers such as hyperglycemia unawareness and the challenges of in-person interventions, the study aims to evaluate how timely prompts from the app can positively influence blood sugar levels and promote healthier lifestyle choices. Participants will engage with the app to develop self-management skills tailored to their individual needs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better diabetes management and improved health outcomes for young people with type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using mobile health interventions for diabetes management, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vajravelu, Mary Ellen — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Vajravelu, Mary Ellen
Related research
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Subtyping Core for Research on the Causes of Type 2 Diabetes (SCORE-T2D)
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Michigan Diabetes Project: A Peer-Led Self-Management Program for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
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Understanding why youth develop type 2 diabetes and how to prevent it
A nationwide study aims to unravel why some teens with obesity develop type 2 diabetes while others don’t, and to identify factors that could help prevent it.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.