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TEENCOPE: An Internet Coping Skills Training Program for Teens With Type 1 Diabetes

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Type 1 Diabetes
Interventions
Behavioral: TeenCope
Behavioral: Managing Diabetes
Registration Number
NCT00684658
Lead Sponsor
Yale University
Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to compare the effects of a 5-week internet-based coping skills training program (TeenCope) with a 5-week internet education program (Managing Diabetes) in youth (age 11-14) with type 1 diabetes on intensive insulin therapy.

Detailed Description

It is well established that for many youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the developmental stage of puberty is characterized by a significant deterioration in metabolic control. Previous research conducted by the Yale School of Nursing demonstrates that providing cognitive-behavioral coping skills training program (CST) as a supplement to intensive medical treatment regimen enhances physiological and psychosocial outcomes - most notably in youth as they approach adolescence. Successful CST programs studied at Yale consist of weekly, in-person group sessions over a 5-week period conducted by a clinical psychologist or social worker.

Rapid advances in technology have made the internet a compelling tool to reach out to youth and significantly broaden the application of CST programs. Investigators at Yale (scientists, NPs, clinical psychologists) have teamed with web specialists (computer programmers, web designers, graphic artists, and illustrators) and youth with T1D and their parents to adapt the successful CST program for use on the internet. In this trial, internet-based CST (TeenCope) will be evaluated by comparing it to an internet-based education program for managing diabetes (Managing Diabetes).

Three hundred (300) youth from 4 different sites within the U.S will take part in the study. Youth will be randomly assigned to complete either the TeenCope or Managing Diabetes program right away, and will be given the opportunity to complete the alternate program after 12 months. Data on psychosocial and disease management parameters will be collected at baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months through youth filling out online questionnaires (lasting approximately 30 minutes). Clinical outcome data (height, weight, HbA1c, episodes of hypoglycemia, DKA, and hospitalization) will be collected from the medical chart throughout the study, and parents will complete a demographic data form.

This study has great potential for working with youth with type 1 diabetes. If proven effective, the investigators are interested in continued dissemination and translation of this intervention beyond their geographical location.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
320
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age 11-14
  • English speaking
  • Youth assents and parent consents to participation
  • School grade is appropriate to age within 1 year
  • Type 1 diabetes for a minimum of 6 months
  • Access to high speed internet service for 5 week intervention (will be arranged by study if not presently in the home)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Other significant chronic health problems requiring intensive self-management
  • Previous exposure to Yale School of Nursing's Coping Skills Training or Managing Diabetes materials

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
1TeenCopeTeenCope: Internet-based Coping Skills Training
2Managing DiabetesManaging Diabetes: Internet-based Diabetes Education
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)18 months
Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)18 months
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)18 months
Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Scale18 months
Self Management of Type 1 Diabetes18 months
Responses to Stress Questionaire (RSQ)18 months
Diabetes Conflict18 months
Diabetes Family Behavior Scale18 months
Children's Depression Inventory18 months
Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents18 months

Trial Locations

Locations (4)

Yale University School of Nursing

🇺🇸

New Haven, Connecticut, United States

University of Arizona

🇺🇸

Tucson, Arizona, United States

University of Miami

🇺🇸

Miami, Florida, United States

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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