Impact of the KARAZ platform's behavioral interventions and incentives on diabetic glycemic control in Saudi Arabia

Introduction The glucose management indicator (GMI) and time-in-range (TIR) are important glycemic parameters calculated from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) values. KARAZ, a hybrid Internet of things—artificial intelligence platform, was developed in Saudi Arabia to help manage diabetes mellitu...

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Main Authors: Sulafa T Alqutub, Faisal Aljehani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-03-01
Series:Digital Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251325987
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author Sulafa T Alqutub
Faisal Aljehani
author_facet Sulafa T Alqutub
Faisal Aljehani
author_sort Sulafa T Alqutub
collection DOAJ
description Introduction The glucose management indicator (GMI) and time-in-range (TIR) are important glycemic parameters calculated from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) values. KARAZ, a hybrid Internet of things—artificial intelligence platform, was developed in Saudi Arabia to help manage diabetes mellitus. The complex nature of self-care and behavior changes associated with diabetes mellitus requires breaking large behaviors into achievable ones and related incentives. Aim This study explored how tiny habits as a behavioral intervention and incentive system affect glycemic control among KARAZ Platform users with diabetes mellitus in various age groups in Saudi Arabia. Methods This retrospective study included KARAZ Platform users and analyzed the effects of behavioral interventions and incentives on GMI and TIR as glycemic control parameters. Results Of 296 active users, 118 (40%) and 148 (50%) maintained a desirable TIR and GMI, respectively. Adult females aged ≥ 26 years who consistently followed tiny habits and behavior changes exhibited a significant reduction in the GMI (5%). Intrinsic motivation through behavioral modification was more effective than external incentives for maintaining glucose control. Conclusion The findings highlight how behavioral interventions can impact GMI, suggesting their effectiveness in promoting better health behaviors and improving glycemic control in the Saudi Arabian context. Further research should investigate how these habits and behaviors can be maintained sustainably without relying on external incentives. Recommendations discussed how children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus would benefit from CGM connection to KARAZ Platform iteration and the integration of a comprehensive diabetes care program within the Saudi health system.
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spelling doaj-art-37428cfd01c6417c9e12c85ffad08c812025-08-20T03:44:18ZengSAGE PublishingDigital Health2055-20762025-03-011110.1177/20552076251325987Impact of the KARAZ platform's behavioral interventions and incentives on diabetic glycemic control in Saudi ArabiaSulafa T Alqutub0Faisal Aljehani1 Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, , Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, , Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaIntroduction The glucose management indicator (GMI) and time-in-range (TIR) are important glycemic parameters calculated from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) values. KARAZ, a hybrid Internet of things—artificial intelligence platform, was developed in Saudi Arabia to help manage diabetes mellitus. The complex nature of self-care and behavior changes associated with diabetes mellitus requires breaking large behaviors into achievable ones and related incentives. Aim This study explored how tiny habits as a behavioral intervention and incentive system affect glycemic control among KARAZ Platform users with diabetes mellitus in various age groups in Saudi Arabia. Methods This retrospective study included KARAZ Platform users and analyzed the effects of behavioral interventions and incentives on GMI and TIR as glycemic control parameters. Results Of 296 active users, 118 (40%) and 148 (50%) maintained a desirable TIR and GMI, respectively. Adult females aged ≥ 26 years who consistently followed tiny habits and behavior changes exhibited a significant reduction in the GMI (5%). Intrinsic motivation through behavioral modification was more effective than external incentives for maintaining glucose control. Conclusion The findings highlight how behavioral interventions can impact GMI, suggesting their effectiveness in promoting better health behaviors and improving glycemic control in the Saudi Arabian context. Further research should investigate how these habits and behaviors can be maintained sustainably without relying on external incentives. Recommendations discussed how children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus would benefit from CGM connection to KARAZ Platform iteration and the integration of a comprehensive diabetes care program within the Saudi health system.https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251325987
spellingShingle Sulafa T Alqutub
Faisal Aljehani
Impact of the KARAZ platform's behavioral interventions and incentives on diabetic glycemic control in Saudi Arabia
Digital Health
title Impact of the KARAZ platform's behavioral interventions and incentives on diabetic glycemic control in Saudi Arabia
title_full Impact of the KARAZ platform's behavioral interventions and incentives on diabetic glycemic control in Saudi Arabia
title_fullStr Impact of the KARAZ platform's behavioral interventions and incentives on diabetic glycemic control in Saudi Arabia
title_full_unstemmed Impact of the KARAZ platform's behavioral interventions and incentives on diabetic glycemic control in Saudi Arabia
title_short Impact of the KARAZ platform's behavioral interventions and incentives on diabetic glycemic control in Saudi Arabia
title_sort impact of the karaz platform s behavioral interventions and incentives on diabetic glycemic control in saudi arabia
url https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251325987
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AT faisalaljehani impactofthekarazplatformsbehavioralinterventionsandincentivesondiabeticglycemiccontrolinsaudiarabia