Sleep coach intervention for adolescents with type 1 diabetes: Rationale and trial design

Despite improvements in hemoglobin A1c among adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) over the past several years, most are still not meeting recommended glycemic targets, placing them at elevated risk for acute and long-term health complications. Thus, there is a critical need for novel approaches to improve diabetes management in adolescents with T1D. Insufficient and inconsistent sleep affects glycemic outcomes directly through decreased insulin sensitivity, and indirectly via compromised executive function in adolescents, reducing their ability to effectively manage T1D. Via a randomized controlled trial of 150 adolescents (age 11-17 years) with T1D, we will evaluate the effects of a sleep-promoting behavioral intervention that includes individual coaching on sleep duration and timing. We hypothesize that adolescents randomized to the Sleep Coach intervention will exhibit significantly longer sleep duration and reduced sleep variability as compared to those who receive enhanced usual care, consisting of additional diabetes education materials and text messages. Effects of the sleep-promoting intervention on executive function, glycemic outcomes (hemoglobin A1c, Time in Range) and diabetes management will be evaluated.

Primary outcomes (sleep duration and timing) and secondary outcomes (executive function, assessed with NIH Toolbox measures and caregiver reports, and glycemic outcomes) are assessed over 12 months. Intent-to-treat analysis will be used to evaluate efficacy of the intervention.

If efficacious, Sleep Coach has the potential to improve both cognitive and glycemic outcomes in adolescents with T1D. This individualized, interactive, manualized behavioral intervention can be delivered remotely by trained staff, with the potential for wide dissemination.