Lifestyle Intervention with Mobile Technology Leading to Weight Loss in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Objective: Up to 30% of Asian adult population are diagnosed with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), with a higher prevalence in obese patients. Weight reduction is typically recommended but a challenge to achieve. We aim to evaluate the effect of a lifestyle intervention with mobile application on weight loss in NAFLD patients.

Methodology: This randomised controlled trial included 108 adults with NAFLD confirmed by steatosis on ultrasound and body mass index ≥23 kg/m2. They were randomly allocated to either control group of standard lifestyle intervention counselling or an intervention group utilising Nutritionist Buddy (nBuddy) mobile application in addition to standard counselling. Body weight, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), waist circumference, hip circumference and blood pressure were measured at baseline, 3 and 6-month. Between-group differences in the numerical and binary outcomes were compared using General Linear Model and Poisson Regression Model, respectively, adjusting for age, gender and ethnicity.

Results and Discussion: Using intention-to-treat analysis, the intervention group significantly improved anthropometric and biochemical outcomes at 6-month when compared to the control. There were greater reductions in weight (3.2 4.1 kg vs 0.5 2.9 kg; p

Conclusion: Lifestyle intervention enabled by mobile technology can be effective in improving anthropometric indices and liver enzymes in NAFLD patients. This treatment modality has the potential to be extended to a larger scale of population.