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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06405386

Pilot of Pragmatic Delivery of Behavioral Approaches to Reduce Diabetes Distress in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

This study is designed to test the feasibility and acceptability of behavioral approaches to reduce diabetes distress ("the expected burdens, concerns, fears, and threats that arise from the challenges of living with diabetes") in adults with type 1 diabetes. This is a pilot study, which will enroll a small group of participants to enroll and give feedback on their experience.

At the study baseline, participants will be randomized to take part in one of two virtual, group-based interventions (the "Primary" intervention) utilizing either an emotions-focused or a problem-solving approach to reduce diabetes distress. After the intervention, participants will attend focus groups and fill out anonymous qualitative surveys to give feedback on their experience. Results of the pilot will inform and improve an upcoming research study of the same design.

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Key information

Age range

30 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States

About this study

The study will test the feasibility and acceptability of two behavioral-based interventions to reduce diabetes distress (DD). The investigators will enroll one cohort (N=15) adults 30 years and older with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and elevated DD from a single clinical site to participate in a 5-week intervention. All interventions and assessments will be delivered in a pragmatic and entirely virtual format.

The investigators will compare two evidence-based, virtual group interventions to reduce DD in adults with T1D. The study includes a randomization to one of two 5-week Primary Interventions: "ReCharge", an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-focused approach that will help to reduce the emotional burden of diabetes management; or "TakeCharge", a problem-solving focused approach that will equip participants with new skills to manage type 1 diabetes.

After the 5-week intervention period, participants will provide final outcome data and feedback on their experience using surveys and focus groups. Quantitative and quantitative results will be used to improve the intervention prior to rollout of a longer-term trial of the same design. Long-term data will be collected at 12-weeks post enrollment.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults 30 years and older
  • Type 1 diabetes OR latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) clinically managed as type 1 diabetes
  • Elevated diabetes distress, defined as a score >= 2.0 on the T1-DDAS core scale
  • English speaking

Exclusion criteria

  • Does not receive diabetes care at UNC Endocrinology at Eastowne
  • Cannot commit to the pre-scheduled weekly, virtual sessions
  • Diagnosis of any major medical or psychiatric condition that would preclude participation
  • Diagnosis of dementia or other conditions that affect memory or information retention, such as cognitive impairment
  • Visual or auditory impairment that would interfere with participation in a group intervention
  • Receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment or history of a suicide attempt within the past 12 months at the time of enrollment

Treatment and study plan

ReCharge

Behavioral

ReCharge is an emotions-focused intervention that utilizes core components of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to address and minimize diabetes distress. This 5-week, group-based, virtual intervention will include a stepwise process to address diabetes distress and provide opportunities to practice new skills. Weekly assignments between the sessions will reinforce class material and give additional practice opportunities. Participants will be expected to interact in each session and will have opportunities to share their experiences and be engaged in discussion with the group and the facilitator.

TakeCharge

Behavioral

TakeCharge is a problem-solving focused intervention that empowers participants to identify and make meaningful changes in their blood glucose management and other diabetes-related behaviors. This 5-week, group-based, virtual intervention will include a stepwise process to analyze data and resolve challenging situations surrounding diabetes management and provide opportunities to practice new skills. Weekly assignments between the sessions will reinforce class material and give additional practice opportunities. Participants will be expected to interact in each session and will have opportunities to share their experiences and be engaged in discussion with the group and the facilitator.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Total Diabetes Distress (T1-DDS Total Score)

    Time frame: Baseline, Endpoint (6 weeks)

    Self-reported total diabetes distress will be measured using the 28-item Type 1 Diabetes Distress Scale (T1-DDS Total Score). The scale yields an overall distress score that is the average of all responses rated on a 6-point Likert scale for all 28 items (range 1-6). A score >= 2.0 is considered clinically significant diabetes distress. The primary efficacy outcomes of this study is the change in the T1D-DDS score and the proportion of individuals with a change in the T1D-DDS score at least as large as one minimally clinically important difference (MCID).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Core Diabetes Distress (T1-DDAS Core Score)

    Time frame: Baseline, Endpoint (6 weeks)

    Self-reported core diabetes distress will be measured using the newer, 8-item Type 1 Diabetes Distress Assessment System (T1-DDAS Core Score). The scale yields a core distress score that is the average of all responses rated on a 5-point Likert scale for all 8 items (range 1-5). A score >= 2.0 is considered clinically significant diabetes distress.

  2. Change in Sources of Diabetes Distress (T1-DDS Subscale Scores)

    Time frame: Baseline, Endpoint (6 weeks)

    Self-reported sources of diabetes distress will be measured using the 7 subscales of the 28-item Type 1 Diabetes Distress Scale (T1-DDS Subscale Scores). In addition to the Total Score, the T1-DDS scale also yields a score for each of 7 subscales based on the average response on all of the items in that subscale (range = 1-6). The 7 subscale scores measure sources including: Powerlessness, Management Distress, Hypoglycemia Distress, Negative Social Perceptions, Eating Distress, Physician Distress, and Friend/Family Distress. A score >= 2.0 is considered clinically significant diabetes distress for each source.

  3. Change in Perceived Stress

    Time frame: Baseline, Endpoint (6 weeks)

    The Perceived Stress Scale 4 (PSS-4) is a 4-item questionnaire used to measure the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful during the last month. Respondents self-report the frequency of four key thoughts and feelings over the past month using a 5-point Likert scale. Total score is determined by adding together the scores of each of the four items (range 0-4).

  4. Change in Diabetes Quality of Life

    Time frame: Baseline, Endpoint (6 weeks)

    The Diabetes Quality of Life (DQOL) - Brief Clinical Inventory is a 15-item questionnaire used to provide a total health-related quality of life score that predicts self-reported diabetes care behaviors and satisfaction with diabetes control. Items are scored on 5-point Likert scale under two general formats. One format asks about the frequency of negative impact of diabetes itself or of the diabetes treatment and provides response options from 1 ("Never") to 5 ("All the time"). The second format asks about satisfaction with treatment and quality of life and is scored from 1 ("Very satisfied") to 5 ("Very dissatisfied").

  5. Change in Perceived Confidence in Diabetes

    Time frame: Baseline, Endpoint (6 weeks)

    The Perceived Competence in Diabetes Scale (PCDS) is a 4-item questionnaire used to assess the degree to which persons with diabetes feel they can manage the everyday aspects of diabetes care. Items are scored on a 1-7 Likert scale from 1 ("not at all true") to 7 ("very true"); items are averaged to form a perceived competence score (range 1-7).

  6. Change in Diabetes Specific Self-Compassion

    Time frame: Baseline, Endpoint (6 weeks)

    The Diabetes Specific Self-Compassion (SCS-D) is a 19-item questionnaire used to assess diabetes specific self-compassion and self-buffering against negative emotions in adults with T1D. Items are scored on a 1-5 Likert scale; average scores determined by calculating the mean of subscale item responses.

  7. Change in Hypoglycemic Attitudes and Behaviors

    Time frame: Baseline, Endpoint (6 weeks)

    The Hypoglycemic Attitudes and Behavior Scale (HABS) is a 14-item self-report scale highlighting two critical dimensions of hypoglycemia-related concerns (anxiety and avoidance) and one positive dimension (confidence). Items are scored on a 1-5 Likert scale from 1 ("Strongly Disagree") to 5 ("Strongly Agree"); Mean item scores are assessed for each hypoglycemia related dimension.

  8. Change in Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

    Time frame: Baseline, Endpoint (6 weeks)

    HbA1c (%) reflects average glucose over the past 2-3 months. Value will be assessed by standardized laboratory assay for trial baseline and endpoint. 3- and 6-mo post-Endpoint data will be extracted from the electronic medical record.

  9. Change in Percent of Time in Range (TIR)

    Time frame: Baseline, Endpoint (6 weeks)

    For participants using personal continuous glucose monitors (CGM), the percentage of sensor values between 70-180 mg/dL will be measured using 7-14 days of retrospective data at each time-point. Change in TIR will be calculated across time-points.

  10. Change in Percent of Time Below Range (TBR)

    Time frame: Baseline, Endpoint (6 weeks)

    For participants using personal continuous glucose monitors (CGM), the percentage of sensor values in the hypoglycemic range (<70 mg/dL) will be measured using 7-14 days of retrospective data at each time-point. Change in TBR will be calculated across time-points.

  11. Change in Percent of Time Above Range (TAR)

    Time frame: Baseline, Endpoint (6 weeks)

    For participants using personal continuous glucose monitors (CGM), the percentage of sensor values in the hyperglycemia range (>180 mg/dL) will be measured using 7-14 days of retrospective data at each time-point. Change in TAR will be calculated across time-points.

  12. Glycemic Variability

    Time frame: Baseline, Endpoint (6 weeks)

    For participants using personal continuous glucose monitors (CGM), glycemic variability will be assessed using the coefficient of variation (%CV). Change in %CV will be calculated across time-points.

Other outcomes

  1. Intervention Satisfaction

    Time frame: Endpoint (6 weeks)

    Satisfaction in the intervention for managing distress and type 1 diabetes will be self-reported using a 6-point Likert scale (1-6). Low satisfaction will be defined as a score <3.0.

  2. Perceived Effectiveness of the Intervention

    Time frame: Endpoint (6 weeks)

    Perceived value of the intervention for managing distress and type 1 diabetes will be self-reported using a 6-point Likert scale (1-6). Low perceived effectiveness will be defined as a score <3.0.

  3. Long-term Change in Total Diabetes Distress (T1-DDS Total Score)

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Self-reported total diabetes distress will be measured using the 28-item Type 1 Diabetes Distress Scale (T1-DDS Total Score). The scale yields an overall distress score that is the average of all responses rated on a 6-point Likert scale for all 28 items (range 1-6). A score >= 2.0 is considered clinically significant diabetes distress. The primary efficacy outcomes of this study is the change in the T1D-DDS score and the proportion of individuals with a change in the T1D-DDS score at least as large as one minimally clinically important difference (MCID).

  4. Long-term Change in Core Diabetes Distress (T1-DDAS Core Score)

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Self-reported core diabetes distress will be measured using the newer, 8-item Type 1 Diabetes Distress Assessment System (T1-DDAS Core Score). The scale yields a core distress score that is the average of all responses rated on a 5-point Likert scale for all 8 items (range 1-5). A score >= 2.0 is considered clinically significant diabetes distress.

  5. Long-term Change in Sources of Diabetes Distress (T1-DDS Subscale Scores)

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Self-reported sources of diabetes distress will be measured using the 7 subscales of the 28-item Type 1 Diabetes Distress Scale (T1-DDS Subscale Scores). In addition to the Total Score, the T1-DDS scale also yields a score for each of 7 subscales based on the average response on all of the items in that subscale (range = 1-6). The 7 subscale scores measure sources including: Powerlessness, Management Distress, Hypoglycemia Distress, Negative Social Perceptions, Eating Distress, Physician Distress, and Friend/Family Distress. A score >= 2.0 is considered clinically significant diabetes distress for each source.

  6. Long-term Change in Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    HbA1c (%) reflects average glucose over the past 2-3 months. Value will be assessed by standardized laboratory assay for trial baseline and endpoint. 3- and 6-mo post-Endpoint data will be extracted from the electronic medical record.

  7. Long-term Change in Percent of Time in Range (TIR)

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    For participants using personal continuous glucose monitors (CGM), the percentage of sensor values between 70-180 mg/dL will be measured using 7-14 days of retrospective data at each time-point. Change in TIR will be calculated across time-points.

  8. Long-term Change in Percent of Time Below Range (TBR)

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    For participants using personal continuous glucose monitors (CGM), the percentage of sensor values in the hypoglycemic range (<70 mg/dL) will be measured using 7-14 days of retrospective data at each time-point. Change in TBR will be calculated across time-points.

  9. Long-term Change in Percent of Time Above Range (TAR)

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    For participants using personal continuous glucose monitors (CGM), the percentage of sensor values in the hyperglycemia range (>180 mg/dL) will be measured using 7-14 days of retrospective data at each time-point. Change in TAR will be calculated across time-points.

  10. Long-term Change in Glycemic Variability

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    For participants using personal continuous glucose monitors (CGM), glycemic variability will be assessed using the coefficient of variation (%CV). Change in %CV will be calculated across time-points.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Other

Collaborators

  • American Diabetes Association

Registry information

Official study title

Fusing Rapid-cycle Testing and Adaptive Trial Designs: A Scientific Pipeline to Translate and Individualize Evidence-based Psychosocial and Behavioral Interventions in Routine Type 1 Diabetes Care

Acronym: ChargeUp

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
May 8, 2024
Registry last updated
Dec 5, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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