The Efficacy of Interactive Videos in the Education of Paediatric Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive educational video (Luca's Journey: Managing Type 1 Diabetes) delivered in addition to the standard educational programme, in improving metabolic control in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus, specifically focusing on the change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels between baseline (T0) and six-month follow-up (T3).

The study will also assess the effectiveness of the intervention in improving fasting blood glucose levels, frequency of hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic episodes, clinical and anthropometric variables (blood pressure, body weight, BMI, and waist circumference), acquisition of nutritional knowledge based on recommendations for the management of type 1 diabetes, and adherence to the main type 1 diabetes management activities.

The secondary objectives were to compare the two educational modalities (intervention vs. standard educational programme) in terms of: (i) mean between-group difference in the change in fasting blood glucose levels and frequency of hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic episodes; (ii) mean between-group difference in the change in clinical and anthropometric variables; (iii) acquisition of nutritional knowledge based on recommendations for the management of type 1 diabetes; and (iv) adherence to the main type 1 diabetes management activities.

The main research questions addressed in this study are:

Does the interactive educational video improve metabolic control, as measured by HbA1c levels, in children with type 1 diabetes compared to standard education alone? Does the intervention lead to a greater reduction in fasting blood glucose levels and a lower frequency of hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic episodes? Does the intervention improve clinical and anthropometric variables compared to standard education alone? Does the intervention lead to a greater acquisition of nutritional knowledge in children with type 1 diabetes? Does the intervention improve adherence to the main type 1 diabetes management activities, including insulin administration, blood glucose monitoring, dietary behaviours, and physical activity? Both study groups will receive the standard in-person educational programme, as routinely delivered at the outpatient clinic of the Regional Centre for Paediatric Diabetology of the "SS. Annunziata" University Hospital in Chieti. Participants assigned to the intervention group will additionally receive a 25-minute interactive educational video immediately following the standard educational session. The interactive video follows a child with type 1 diabetes through everyday situations, inviting participants to make decisions at key moments and explore the consequences of different behavioural choices related to diabetes management.