Randomized trial of a diabetes self-management education and family teamwork intervention in adolescents with Type1 diabetes

H. R. Murphy*, C. Wadham, J. Hassler-Hurst, G. Rayman, T. C. Skinner

*Corresponding author for this work
    42 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Aims To evaluate the effectiveness of a family-centred group education programme, in adolescents with Type1 diabetes. Methods Three hundred and five adolescents with Type1 diabetes; age 13.1±1.9years, diabetes duration 5.6±3.3years, BMI 20.9±3.7kg/m 2, HbA 1c 78±6mmol/mol (9.3±1.9%) were randomly allocated to the Families and Adolescents Communication and Teamwork Study (FACTS) diabetes education programme; (six 90-min monthly sessions attended by parents and adolescents incorporating skills training and family teamwork) or conventional clinical care. Primary outcome was HbA 1c at 18months (12months post-intervention). Secondary outcomes were HbA 1c at 9months, psychosocial outcomes, adolescent quality of life, well-being, family responsibility and insulin dose adjustment behaviours at 12months (6months post-intervention) and episodes of severe hypoglycaemia and diabetic ketoacidois during the 12months post-intervention. All analyses are intention to treat. Results Session attendance was poor with 48/158 families (30.4%) not attending any sessions and only 75/158 (47.5%) families attending ≥4group education sessions. All biomedical and psychosocial outcomes were comparable between groups. At 18months there was no significant difference in HbA 1c in either group and no between-group differences over time: intervention group 75mmol/mol (9.0%) to 78mmol/mol (9.3%), control group 77mmol/mol (9.2%) to 80mmol/mol (9.5%). Adolescents perceived no changes in parental input at 12months. Conclusion Poor attendance of group education sessions delivered in routine clinics was a major challenge. More personalized educational approaches may be required to support and motivate families who are struggling to integrate the demands of intensive insulin regimens into their daily lives.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalDiabetic Medicine
    Volume29
    Issue number8
    ISSN0742-3071
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2012

    Keywords

    • Adolescent
    • Communication
    • Education
    • Family
    • Type1 diabetes

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