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Text messages can help control diabetes, according to a new study.

Researchers said the latest findings suggest that a text message-based self-management intervention improves glycemic control in high-risk Latinos with type 2 diabetes.

"The use of mobile phones in health care is very promising, especially when it comes to low-income populations with chronic diseases," researcher Athena Philis-Tsimikas, M.D., corporate vice president for the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute, said in a news release. "We found that by using text messages we were able to circumvent many of the barriers these patients face, such as lack of transportation or childcare, while still being able to expand the reach of diabetes care and education."

The latest study involved 126 participants who were divided into two groups. One group received standard diabetes management care and the other got text messaging as well as standard care.

Researchers said text messages contained nutrition and exercise tips as well as information on the benefits of medication adherence.

"At the six-month mark, we found that the Dulce Digital participants had a significantly larger decrease in hemoglobin A1c test levels than the control group," said Tsimikas.

The latest findings of the Dulce Digital study were presented at the 74th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association in San Francisco on June 13.