Introduction
Have you heard that smartwatches are gaining attention as a way to prevent diabetes and other lifestyle-related diseases? I recently came across a fascinating study that prompted me to incorporate a smartwatch into my own life more seriously. In this blog post, I will introduce that paper—”Mobile Health Biometrics to Enhance Exercise and Physical Activity Adherence in Type 2 Diabetes (MOTIVATE-T2D)”—and share my personal experience to explore how smartwatches can transform our health habits.
Why I Read This Study
As a medical professional, I frequently encounter patients dealing with lifestyle-related diseases, especially type 2 diabetes (T2D), which continues to rise globally.
That’s when I came across the following paper published in BMJ Open:
“Mobile Health Biometrics to Enhance Exercise and Physical Activity Adherence in Type 2 Diabetes (MOTIVATE-T2D): a decentralised feasibility randomised controlled trial delivered across the UK and Canada” (BMJ Open. 2025 Mar 26;15(3):e092260)
What intrigued me was the novel approach of using wearable devices to support home-based, individualized exercise programs for newly diagnosed T2D patients. It wasn’t just another intervention study—this one blended behavioral science with technology in a practical and accessible way.
Key Findings from the MOTIVATE-T2D Study
This was a decentralized, multicenter randomized controlled trial conducted in the UK and Canada. Participants were newly diagnosed T2D patients. Key features of the study included:
- Use of wearable devices to track heart rate and exercise time
- Personalized coaching delivered remotely via text messages
- Individualized exercise plans co-designed with exercise specialists
- Primary outcomes: HbA1c and systolic blood pressure
- Active control group received a similar intervention minus biometric feedback
Highlights from the Results:
- High Adherence to Exercise: In the final month, participants in the MOTIVATE-T2D group were three times more likely to complete 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week compared to the control group.
- Promising HbA1c Improvement: At six months, the HbA1c reduction was about 3 mmol/mol, which exceeds the minimum clinically important difference (MCID).
- Systolic Blood Pressure: A reduction of about 5 mmHg was observed at 12 months, again within clinically significant range.
- Low Dropout Rate: Despite its remote design, the study had an attrition rate below 18%.
- Improvements in Secondary Outcomes: These included LDL cholesterol and quality of life scores.
My Personal Experience: Why I Chose Garmin
After reading the paper, I was inspired to try a smartwatch myself. I had been waiting nearly six months to buy one, hoping for the release of the latest Garmin 970. However, when it was finally announced, I decided against it because:
- It costs over ¥100,000
- Battery life was significantly shorter due to added call functionality
- I personally don’t need a smartwatch with phone call features
In the end, I opted for the Garmin Forerunner 965, and I couldn’t be happier. It doesn’t require charging for over two weeks, even with frequent GPS use. The device provides precise data on heart rate, VO2max, training load, and more. It even tracks my daily steps, stress levels, and sleep quality.
Bridging Research and Real Life
What I took away from the MOTIVATE-T2D study was this:
“In medical care, the key to effective exercise guidance lies in how seamlessly it integrates with daily life.”
Traditional medical advice often stops at, “Please try to exercise 30 minutes a day.” However, smartwatches offer real-time biofeedback, empowering users to take control of their health through tangible data.
The ability to monitor heart rate live is particularly useful for accurately performing moderate-intensity exercise, which is often difficult to gauge subjectively.
How Garmin Changed My Daily Routine
Since using my Garmin watch, several aspects of my lifestyle have improved:
- I take the stairs more often
- I run three mornings a week
- I pay more attention to my sleep quality
- I reduce workout intensity on high-stress days
These changes align perfectly with the outcomes observed in the MOTIVATE-T2D study. As a physician, I firmly believe:
“If we recommend exercise to our patients, we should try it ourselves first.”
Looking Ahead: Future Trials and Policy Potential
The MOTIVATE-T2D team is now planning a fully powered randomized controlled trial involving 586 newly diagnosed T2D patients to assess both clinical and cost-effectiveness.
Personally, I hope smartwatches like the Garmin Forerunner 965 will someday be covered by health insurance, given their potential to drive long-term behavioral change and improve public health.
If you’re thinking of incorporating more exercise into your life, I wholeheartedly recommend this device.
Reference
Hesketh K, Low J, Andrews R, et al. Mobile Health Biometrics to Enhance Exercise and Physical Activity Adherence in Type 2 Diabetes (MOTIVATE-T2D): a decentralised feasibility randomised controlled trial delivered across the UK and Canada. BMJ Open. 2025 Mar 26;15(3):e092260. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-092260. PMID: 40139900; PMCID: PMC12004491
Thank you for reading to the end.
Technology is quietly, yet powerfully, breaking down the wall between “healthcare” and “everyday life.” I’ve experienced it firsthand—and I hope you do, too.
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