CIGNA Corporation : Cigna Study: Can a Mobile App Help Prevent Diabetes?
01/23/2013| 12:05pm US/Eastern
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Can a fitness tracker device and mobile app help lower the risk of
diabetes. To find out, global health service company Cigna (NYSE:CI) is
launching pilot initiatives with four of its U.S. employer health plan
clients representing 1,600 at-risk American workers.
The pilot programs will serve as a national study group for the efficacy
of combining digital health trackers and health coaches to reduce the
risk of diabetes and improve health of those with the disease. The
initiative will use the popular BodyMedia
body monitoring armband system to document participants' calorie burn,
exercise patterns and other physiological data on a round-the-clock
basis. The initiative will provide Cigna health coaches with accurate
individual activity data for analysis and behavioral modification
recommendations, while also giving study participants insights they can
use to potentially avert or control diabetes.
"Our theory for helping people reduce their risk of diabetes is to
provide personalized, engaging and information-rich coaching programs,
along with cool tools that deliver sustained motivation to improve
health," said Cigna Product Solutions Vice President, Eric Herbek. "And
we're about to put our theory to the test."
"Our test mixes high-tech measurement and high-touch coaching so that
individuals and their Cigna health coaches can follow each individual's
progress and motivate them to successfully change their unhealthy habits
for sustained health improvement," Herbek said. "Thus far we've seen
consistently strong results after our health improvement programs are in
place. We want to see an increased and accelerated improvement in our
customer's health risks by adding digital health tools and mobile apps
to the mix."
"Fitness trackers have proven their value in weight control, but this
study illustrates their potential usefulness for other health purposes,"
said BodyMedia CEO Christine Robins. "If being able to see your food and
exercise choices will change your behavior - and we believe it can,
based on our experience with consumers who use our armbands to support
their weight loss efforts - healthcare practitioners may have a whole
new way to deal with a variety of lifestyle-related health conditions."
The Cigna initiative will use electronic devices and online tools as an
engaging, interesting and simpler way to help people improve their
health. The pilot programs will comprise a randomized control study of
1600 participants who are identified with pre-diabetes, diabetes and
metabolic syndrome.
As a global health service company, Cigna is committed to helping
customers improve their health, well-being and costs by supporting each
individual with guidance, tools and information designed to make health
a fun and interesting part of everyday life.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company
dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense
of security. All products and services are provided exclusively through
operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut
General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company,
Life Insurance Company of North America, Cigna Life Insurance Company of
New York and their affiliates. Such products and services include an
integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral
health, pharmacy and vision care benefits, and other related products
including group disability, life, and accident coverage. Cigna has sales
capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, with approximately 75
million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about
Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
About BodyMedia, Inc.
BodyMedia pioneered the development of wearable body monitors that
collect physiological data for use in improving health, wellness and
fitness. Founded in 1999, the company today provides a variety of
around-the-clock on-body monitors utilizing proprietary technology that
has been clinically validated for accuracy. Data captured by BodyMedia
devices is used by consumers as well as health and wellness
professionals to guide behavioral changes to control weight and promote
an active lifestyle - two factors that are routinely cited as keys to
combat and manage serious medical conditions. BodyMedia has amassed one
of the largest databases of information about the human body, and the
technology has been used in more than 100 clinical research studies
covering health issues such as obesity, COPD, diabetes, cystic fibrosis,
cancer, bariatrics, sleep and intensive care. BodyMedia is privately
held and based in Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, visit www.bodymedia.com.
Cigna
Joe Mondy, 860-226-5499
Joseph.mondy@cigna.com
© Business Wire 2013
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