The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility of a social media intervention to support diabetes management in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Adolescent participants will be randomized to receive diabetes education and peer support over Instagram or to usual outpatient diabetes care. Researchers will assess whether the social media intervention is feasible. In addition, the study team will also explore and compare changes in glucose levels and person-reported outcomes between the two groups.
The majority of adolescents with type 1 diabetes do not meet recommended glycemic targets, placing them at risk for acute and chronic diabetes-related complications. Strategies that improve adolescent diabetes self-management are needed. Social media offers new opportunities to provide diabetes education and peer support through communication in a digital environment. As part of a randomized controlled trial, adolescent participants will be randomized to receive diabetes education and peer support over Instagram in addition to usual care or to standard outpatient diabetes care.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
The social media arm participants will receive a diabetes curriculum designed to address diabetes self-efficacy and independence with diabetes management over the course of 6 months. Participants will have the option to engage with the study team and other participants through Instagram posts and direct messaging.
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, Washington, United States
RECRUITINGFeasibility: Enrollment
Percentage of participants who enroll in study after in-person or remote discussion about study participation.
Time frame: 0 months
Feasibility: Retention Rate
Percentage of enrolled participants who complete the final 6-month surveys.
Time frame: 6 months
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
HbA1c laboratory measurements collected during the intervention.
Time frame: Change over 6 months
Time In Range
Continuous glucose monitor sensor glucose measurements collected during the intervention that are in range (70-180 mg/dL).
Time frame: Change over 6 months
Time Above Range
Continuous glucose monitor sensor glucose measurements collected during the intervention that are above range (\>180 mg/dL).
Time frame: Change over 6 months
Time Below Range
Continuous glucose monitor sensor glucose measurements collected during the intervention that are below range (\<70 mg/dL).
Time frame: Change over 6 months
Diabetes Self-Management
Adherence will be assessed with the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire. Higher scores indicate higher adherence to diabetes self-management.
Time frame: Change over 6 months
Diabetes Distress
Diabetes distress will be assessed with the Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale -- Teen Version. Higher scores indicate higher diabetes distress.
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Time frame: Change over 6 months
Diabetes Family Conflict
Diabetes family conflict will be assessed with the Diabetes Family Conflict Scale. Higher scores indicate higher diabetes family conflict.
Time frame: Change over 6 months
Health Care Transition Readiness
Health care transition readiness will be assessed with the Readiness Assessment in Emerging Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosed in Youth. Higher scores indicate higher health care transition readiness.
Time frame: Change over 6 months
Depressive Symptoms
Depressive symptoms will be assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-8. Higher scores indicate higher depressive symptoms.
Time frame: Change over 6 months
Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing will be assessed with the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Higher scores indicate higher mental wellbeing.
Time frame: Change over 6 months
Problematic Internet Use
Adolescent problematic internet use will be assessed with the Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale. Higher scores indicate higher concern for problematic internet use.
Time frame: Change over 6 months
Diabetes Strengths
Adolescents' diabetes-specific "strengths" (i.e., positive behaviors and attitudes related to the challenges of living with type 1 diabetes) will be assessed with the Diabetes Strengths and Resilience measure. Higher scores indicate increased diabetes-specific strengths.
Time frame: Change over 6 months
Diabetes Quality of Life
Diabetes-specific quality of life will be assessed using the adolescent self-report version of the Type 1 Diabetes and Life. Higher scores indicate higher diabetes-specific quality of life.
Time frame: Change over 6 months
Screen Time
Screen time use will be measured by the Screen Time summary from a participant's smartphone device.
Time frame: Change over 6 months