A Cognitive Behavioral Intervention to Reduce Fear of Hypoglycemia in Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

Not Applicable

Completed

Conditions: Type1diabetes

Interventions: Behavioral: FREE

Registration Number: NCT03165786

Lead Sponsor: University of Illinois at Chicago

Brief Summary: This study is being conducted to determine the feasibility of a cognitive behavioral therapy intervention to reduce fear of hypoglycemia and improve glucose levels in young adults with type 1 diabetes.

Detailed Description: In persons with type 1 diabetes (T1DM), iatrogenic hypoglycemia is the major limiting factor in achieving optimal blood glucose control. All persons with T1DM are at risk for hypoglycemia (blood glucose level \< 70 mg/dl), which is life-threatening and has serious physical symptoms and psychological sequelae that lead to profound fear of future hypoglycemic events. This fear results in greater glucose variability (the intra-day fluctuations in blood glucose), due to under- or overcompensation of food intake, insulin dosing, or physical activity, as well as anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. Greater glycemic variability (GV) is associated with a higher risk of hypoglycemia and diabetes complications. Young adults are particularly at risk because they report greater FOH and have poorer glycemic control. A major gap exists in how to manage FOH as a crucial component of diabetes self-care. Our overall objective is to reduce FOH and improve diabetes self-management, glycemic control, and variability in young adults with T1DM. We specifically aim to: (1) Determine the feasibility of an 8-week CBT-based intervention to reduce FOH and (2) obtain means and standard deviations of group differences from baseline to program completion on the outcomes of FOH, self-management, glycemic control and glycemic variability in young adults with T1DM who experience FOH. To achieve these aims, we propose a randomized control pilot trial in 10 young adults aged 18 to 30 years with T1DM. Participants will be screened for FOH levels. Eligible subjects will be randomized to the intervention (Fear Reduction Efficacy Evaluation \[FREE\]) program or attention control group. A 1-week run-in phase is planned, with baseline measures of FOH and 24-hour real-time continuous glucose monitoring recordings (RT-CGM) to calculate GV for both groups. The intervention group will participate in eight weekly one-hour sessions using a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure treatment for specific fears. RT-CGM and a daily FOH diary will be used as feedback cues. The control group will wear a 24-hour RT-CGM device during the same 8-week period and return for weekly RT-CGM site changes by study staff. At completion, FOH will be measured, and RT-CGM recordings will be analyzed to determine within-group and between-group differences. The findings from this proposed study will serve as the foundation for a larger clinical trial to reduce FOH and improve self-management, glycemic control, and variability. Meeting these goals will have important clinical implications to reduce diabetes complications and improve quality of life in young adults with T1DM.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 10

Inclusion Criteria

type 1 diabetes ≥ 1 year
receive medical care from an endocrinologist
use insulin pump therapy
have self-reported fear of hypoglycemia (FOH;screening questionnaire)

Exclusion Criteria

pregnant or breastfeeding
actively treated for a mental health condition
have a co-existing chronic illness or taking medications (excluding insulin) that may influence diabetes self-management or glycemic variability

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
FREE Group	FREE	Cognitive behavioral therapy intervention with real-time continuous glucose monitoring.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Hypoglycemia Fear Scale Score (HFS_2)	12 weeks	A reliable and valid psychological scale. It is a 5-point Likert scale \[0-4\], that is summed for a single total continuous scale score. Scores may range from 0-72. Higher numbers indicate greater fear of hypoglycemia.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire Scale Score (DSMQ)	12 weeks	A reliable and valid behavioral scale, provides total continuous scale score, ranging from 0-81, higher numbers indicate better self-management.
Glycemic Control, the Average Blood Glucose Over a 2-3 Month Period of Time.	12 weeks	Hemoglobin A1c represents the average blood glucose over a 2-3 month period and is an index of glycemic control. The American Diabetes Association recommends a hemoglobin A1C below 7% for most people with diabetes. Higher percentages indicate higher average blood glucose levels.
Glycemic Variability	8 weeks	Twenty-four hour fluctuations in glucose measured by a continuous glucose monitor that provides interstitial glucose readings every 5 minutes. This is a continuous measure. A higher standard deviation reflects greater glycemic variability.