Pet Ownership and Glucose Control in Early Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center15 enrolled

Overview

This study evaluates the short-term effects of incorporating the structured care of a pet fish into a diabetes self-care routine on glucose control in early adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Efficacy of treatment for Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is dependent on adherence to self-care behaviors and collaborative parental involvement. Adolescence is a vulnerable time for the deterioration of glycemic control in patients with T1DM. In particular, parental monitoring declines during early adolescence. This often occurs before the child has developed self-efficacy and competence in independently performing diabetes-related tasks, including blood glucose monitoring. Consequently, there is a great need for innovative strategies in early adolescents that promote self-efficacy development and facilitate parental involvement.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 Adolescent Behavior

Interventions

Pet FishBEHAVIORAL

Participants will be provided a fish tank with supplies to care for the fish and access to a fish (Betta splendens) from a local pet store. All participants will receive specific instructions for coupling the fish care and diabetes care: 1. feed fish one pellet in the morning after waking; check and record BG reading at that time 2. feed fish one pellet in the evening before dinner; check and record BG reading at that time 3. feed fish one pellet at night before bedtime; check and record BG reading at that time 4. every week clean the tank alternating with test the water quality in partnership with caregiver; review blood glucose readings with caregiver with each weekly fish care activity and problem solve any issues related to the blood glucose pattern. Each child will also receive two books intended to supplement and enrich their pet fish experience.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 10 YearsMax age: 13 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * age 10-13 years * diagnosis of T1DM * duration of T1DM for at least one year * fluency in English * two recent consecutive HbA1c values 8.0 - 13% Exclusion Criteria: * clinical or laboratory characteristics suggestive of type 2 diabetes mellitus * involvement in foster care * dual-home living situation * severe psychiatric disorders * developmental delay or cognitive impairment * current participation in another study that may impact glycemic control * regular usage of a continuous glucose monitor * HbA1c \> 13% (because these individuals may need a more intensive intervention than this is intended to provide).

Locations (1)

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Dallas, Texas, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Hemoglobin A1c

Glycated hemoglobin test provides an average level of blood sugar over the past 3 months.

Time frame: 3 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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