Patients with diabetes were able to decrease their hemoglobin A1c by an average of 1.36 percent using One Drop Mobile applications on iPhones and Apple Watches, according to a study published in JMIR mHealth & uHealth.

Mobile applications for the self-management of chronic diseases allow patients to to improve outcomes at a reduced cost. In this study, researchers evaluated the feasibility of the One Drop Mobile app in engaging users with type 1 and 2 diabetes to reduce their A1c levels.

Researchers evaluated the change in A1c from a sample of participants who used the One Drop Mobile app by analyzing measurements entered 60 to 365 days apart. Overall, a total of 65 type 1 and 191 type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled.

"Study after study shows people using One Drop experience incredible outcomes. They eat fewer carbs, become more active and experience dramatic results. But with the Apple Watch, results are even better," said Chandra Osborn, vice president of health and behavioral informatics at One Drop.

Results showed that patients were able to reduce A1c levels by 1.36 percent on average.

"Improving A1c by 1 percent or more not only yields better quality of life for our users, but also saves them an estimated $1,324.30 per person in the first year and an estimated $8,128.83 after five years," said Jeff Dachis, founder and CEO of One Drop. "We are using behavioral- and data science-backed approaches to deliver the most accessible, engaging, affordable and clinically effective digital diabetes self-care platform in market."