Text Message Intervention for Teens with Type 1 Diabetes Preserves HbA1c: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

: Teens with type 1 diabetes (T1D) often struggle with diabetes self-management, which may lead to suboptimal self-care and worsening hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Innovative strategies are needed to improve self-care and protect against glycemic decline, especially during adolescence. We aimed to assess the impact on HbA1c of two interventions, problem-solving and text messaging, in teens with T1D. : In a two-site randomized controlled trial, teens (N = 301) 13-17 years of age with T1D were randomized to one of the four groups using a 2 × 2 factorial design: Teenwork (TW), Text Messaging (Text), TW+Text, or Usual Care. TW intervention included problem-solving aimed at improving T1D self-care for blood glucose (BG) monitoring and insulin bolus dosing. Text intervention involved text reminders to check BG. The primary outcome was change in HbA1c from baseline to 12 months. : At baseline, teens (51% female, 78% white, 59% pump-treated) were (mean ± SD) 15.0 ± 1.3 years, had diabetes duration of 6.5 ± 3.7 years, and HbA1c 8.5% ± 1.1%. There was no significant difference in HbA1c over time by study group. Responsiveness to text reminders by teens in the TEXT and TW+TEXT predicted glycemic benefit; TW did not. : Despite no HbA1c difference by study group, greater response to text message reminders to check BG led to better glycemic control and no deterioration in HbA1c; the problem-solving intervention did not. Given the high penetration of mobile phones and the wide acceptance of text messaging among teens in general, it is encouraging that a text messaging intervention can preserve HbA1c, thus preventing the expected deterioration in glycemic control often seen in teens with T1D.