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Published on: June 11, 2012
Promoting glycemic control in young children with type I diabetes: Results from a pilot intervention for parents
Eleanor R Mackey1, Carrie Tully1, Meredith Rose1
1Department of Psychology and Behavioral Health, Children's National Hospital.
Insights
The type One Training (TOTs) program shows promise for improving nutrition and physical activity in young children with type 1 diabetes (T1D), demonstrating feasibility and acceptability in a pilot study.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Type 1 diabetes (T1D) management in young children requires careful attention to nutrition and physical activity.
- Developmental challenges can complicate T1D management related to diet and exercise.
- A pilot study investigated an intervention to enhance nutrition and physical activity in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the type One Training (TOTs) program.
- To assess indications of behavior change in nutrition and physical activity for young children with T1D.
- To determine the impact of the TOTs program on glycemic control and behavioral outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A pilot randomized controlled trial involving 36 parents of children aged 2-5 years with T1D.
- Participants were assigned to either the TOTs program or Usual Care (UC).
- Outcomes included feasibility metrics, acceptability ratings, glycemic variability, nutritional intake, physical activity, and behavioral assessments.
Main Results:
- The TOTs program was feasible to administer with high completion rates and very high acceptability.
- Children in the TOTs group showed improved glycemic control (increased time in target range) and reduced feeding problems.
- The Usual Care group experienced a decrease in moderate to vigorous physical activity.
Conclusions:
- The TOTs program is a feasible and acceptable intervention for young children with T1D.
- Preliminary findings suggest potential benefits for glycemic control and behavior.
- Future research should focus on efficacy and tailoring the intervention for optimal impact.
Objective:
Nutrition and physical activity are key components of daily diabetes care in young children with type I diabetes (T1D). Normative developmental behavioral challenges related to nutrition and physical activity complicate management of T1D. The current pilot study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and indications of behavior change of an intervention aimed at improving nutrition and physical activity in young children with T1D.
Method:
Thirty-6 parents of young children (ages 2-5 years, M = 4.2) with T1D from 2 clinics in the Washington, DC area were randomized to receive the type One Training (TOTs) program or Usual Care (UC). Assessments included recruitment and completion rates, participant acceptability, and outcomes including glycemic variability via continuous glucose monitoring, nutritional intake via remote food photography, physical activity via accelerometers, and parental report on behavior and psychosocial functioning.
Results:
Despite recruitment challenges, the TOTs program was feasible to administer, with high program and assessment completion rates. Acceptability ratings were very high but differed by recruitment site. Participants randomized to TOTs had an increase in percent of time in target glycemic range and reduction in behavioral feeding problems between baseline and follow-up while those randomized to UC did not. Participants in UC demonstrated a decrease in in moderate to vigorous physical activity at follow-up.
Conclusions:
The TOTs program demonstrated preliminary feasibility and acceptability. Future research will examine components of treatment for evidence of efficacy and target the intervention to those most likely to benefit. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
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