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A Trial of Diabetes-educated Psychologist to Improve HbA1c and Reduce Diabetes-related Distress

A Randomized Trial of Diabetes-educated Psychologist to Improve HbA1c and Reduce Diabetes-related Distress

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03753997
Enrollment
142
Registered
2018-11-27
Start date
2019-01-01
Completion date
2026-12-31
Last updated
2024-05-30

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Psychology Functional Behavior, Type1diabetes

Brief summary

Type 1 diabetes is associated with a significant increase in mortality, cardiovascular disease, injuries on eyes and kidneys. These risks are largely dependent on glycemic control. Multiple strategies of achieving good glycemic control exist. Despite this, only about 20 % of patients in Sweden reach the target HbA1c of ≤ 52 mmol/mol. It is well-known that when the motivation is high, a large proportion of patients reach good glycaemic control with current treatments, e.g. most pregnant women reach a much better glycaemic control. The patient is then motivated to a greater extent in managing the disease, e.g. by carefully dosing insulin and more closely monitoring blood glucose levels. Moreover, besides lack of motivation, specific psychiatric conditions are well-known barriers in being compliant with treatments such as depression, eating disorders and attention deficit disorders (ADHD). Further, identified specific diabetes-related psychosocial factors include severe fear of hypoglycaemia, diabetes-burnout, unrealistic treatment goals, poor relationship with physician, feelings of powerlessness and treatment skepticism. These parameters can be measured via a diabetes distress scale where a high score is correlated to higher HbA1c. The majority of outpatient diabetes clinics in Sweden today request the resource of a diabetes-educated psychologist. However, more evidence is needed from randomized multicentre trials whether such a resource would help to improve HbA1c, reduce diabetes-related distress and improve quality of life. The primary aim of the current study is to evaluate whether the assistance of a diabetes-educated psychologist in the diabetes care of patients with type 1 diabetes improves HbA1c. Secondary endpoints include studying its influence on diabetes-related distress and quality of life. The study is a 1 year randomized trial where the intervention group will meet with a diabetes-educated psychologist in addition to conventional care.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALTreatment by a diabetes educated psychologist

Patients will meet a diabetes educated psychologist. There will be a minimum of 5 meetings during the first 3 months and then in the following 6 months there will be a minimum of 2 meetings. More meetings will be scheduled if needed.

Sponsors

Vastra Gotaland Region
Lead SponsorOTHER_GOV

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Informed consent obtained before trial-related activities (i.e., any activity that would not have been performed during routine patient management) * Clinical diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes * Adult patients over 18 years of age * HbA1c \> 62 mmol/mol

Exclusion criteria

* Type 2 diabetes * Diabetes duration \<1 year * Long-term Systemic glucocorticoid treatment during the last 3 months * Changed treatment the last 3 months regarding MDI vs. Insulin pump or added or stopped CGM or FGM therapy * Current or planned pregnancy or breastfeeding during the next 12 months * Planned move during the next 12 months making it not possible to participate in study activities * Other reason determined by the investigator not being appropriate for participation

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Change in HbA1c from baseline to 52 weeks follow-up52 weeks

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Diabetes distress scale score from baseline to week 5252 weeksDiabetes Distress scale is a questionnaire with 28 questions where patients answer on a scale between 1-6.
Change in quality of life score (ADDQoL) from baseline to week 5252 weeksADDQoL (actual name for questionnaire) is a quality of life questionnaire with 19 questions. Answers are on a scale of 1-4,1-5,1-6 and 1-7
score of Diabetes Treatment satisfaction questionnaire - change (DTSQc) at week 5252 weeks8 questions which patients answer on a scale of -3 to 3

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Proportion of patients lowering HbA1c 5 mmol/mol or more from baseline to week 5252 weeks
Change in total insulin dose from baseline to week 5252 weeks
Change in the Diabetes Treatment satisfaction questionnaire - status (DTSQs) score from baseline to week 5252 weeks8 questions which patients answer on a scale of 6 to 0
Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure from baseline to week 5252 weekChange in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
change weight from baseline to week 5252 weeks
Change in the score of the hypoglycaemia confidence questionnaire from baseline to week 5252 weeks9 questions with 4 answer possibilities. Not confident at all, to very confident
Proportion of patients with HbA1c less than 59 mmol/mol at week 5252 weeks
Proportion of patients with HbA1c less than 53 mmol/mol at week 5252 weeks

Countries

Sweden

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026