AI-GUIDED LIFESTYLE COACHING VS. CONVENTIONAL COUNSELING IN EARLY PREDIABETES PREVENTION
Keywords:
Adherence, Artificial Intelligence, Counseling, Digital Health, HbA1c, Lifestyle Modification, Prediabetes, Prevention, Randomized Controlled Trial, South PunjabAbstract
Background: Prediabetes is a growing global concern, leading to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Conventional lifestyle counseling, though effective, often faces challenges related to motivation, consistency, and access. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based digital health interventions have emerged as innovative tools capable of providing continuous, personalized support to facilitate sustainable behavioral change.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of AI-guided digital lifestyle coaching compared to conventional counseling in lowering glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels among adults with prediabetes in South Punjab.
Methods: A twelve-week randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 100 adults aged 25–55 years with prediabetes. Participants were randomly assigned to either an AI-guided lifestyle coaching group or a conventional counseling group. The AI platform provided individualized feedback on diet, physical activity, and daily habits through adaptive algorithms, while the control group received routine in-person counseling every four weeks. Primary outcome was the change in HbA1c levels; secondary outcomes included fasting glucose, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and adherence scores. Data were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests for normally distributed variables, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results: Ninety-six participants completed the study. The AI-guided group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in HbA1c (mean change −0.4%) compared to the conventional group (−0.1%; p=0.002). Improvements were also observed in fasting glucose (p=0.018), BMI (p=0.046), and waist circumference (p=0.031). Behavioral adherence scores and engagement frequency were markedly higher in the AI-guided group (p<0.01).
Conclusion: AI-guided lifestyle coaching significantly enhanced glycemic control and behavioral adherence compared to conventional counseling. The integration of AI-based interventions offers a promising, scalable approach to early diabetes prevention and sustainable lifestyle management in community settings.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Zuha Arshad, Muhammad Oun Haider (Author)
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