EIT consortium — diabetes type 2

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) was created by the EU in 2008 to strengthen Europe's ability to innovate, as part of Horizon 2020. EIT Health — designated an EIT Innovation Community in December 2014 — aims to increase the competitiveness of European industry, improve citizens' quality of life, and support the sustainability of healthcare systems. Zilveren Kruis Achmea is an EIT consortium partner.

Aims of the study: feasibility, usability, health impact and societal impact — running an acquisition pilot and operational living lab in the Netherlands with 200 type 2 diabetes patients (without insulin use).

The proposition was a multidisciplinary coaching platform combining personal (digital and phone) lifestyle coaching, a UK-based lifestyle app (Changing Health), the Actify apps MealMatch and Move, and a Philips medically validated wearable.

Consortium partners: Achmea, Actify, Philips, LUMC, Newcastle University, Changing Health, Leyden Academy and DZD.

Recruitment through B2C and medical channels went smoothly — easier than expected. Feedback on human coaches, the app and wearable technology was positive, though set-up remained difficult for part of the participant group. There was a significant effect on weight loss: attending coaching sessions correlated with weight loss and a significant effect on general health.