Following a successful trial, Sweatcoin, a health and fitness app, is being prescribed to people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes across south west London.
The 10-week Diabetes Prevention Programme trial included a structured education programme, group activities and encouraged team sports.
Seventy patients were recruited through health checks run at a range of faith centres. The trial results found that participants lost an average of 3kg. In addition, patients’ daily step count increased by 45% on average.
According to the results, 85% of people are likely to lose weight on the programme, with one in 10 predicted to lose 10% of their body weight.
The Sweatcoin app offers monetary rewards to users per step taken, which can then be used with online stores such as headspace and audible. The company was a finalist at Digital Health Rewired Pitchfest 2022.
Anton Derlyatka, CEO and co-founder of Sweatcoin, said: “We are thrilled that this trial was a success and that we can launch the programme to a wider audience, potentially helping millions of people globally.
“The impressive trial results have only strengthened our belief that Sweatcoin will play an important role in supporting the healthcare sector.”
Following the trial, South West London Integrated Care System, in collaboration with Richmond and Wandsworth Public Health and Sweatcoin, has launched the Prevention Decathlon Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Programme.
The programme will target areas of Richmond and Wandsworth, in a bid to tackle the national problem of diabetes complications – which cost the NHS around £10 billion every year.
Dipti Gandhi, South West London ICS primary care clinical lead for diabetes, said: “Incentivising individuals to engage in regular physical activity has the potential to revolutionise the way we approach diabetes prevention; contributing towards reducing NHS waiting times and costs.
“This successful trial highlights the power of technology and innovative approaches in promoting healthy lifestyles, and we hope to see more initiatives like this in the healthcare industry.
“Taking the results and learnings from the trial and putting them into practice, in partnership with the NHS, is a huge step forward in reducing the number of people being diagnosed with diabetes on a daily basis.”