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Lowering Food Insecurity and Improving Diabetes With Financial Incentives

Lowering Food Insecurity and Improving Diabetes With Financial Incentives (LIFT-FINANCE)

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05352022
Acronym
LIFT-FINANCE
Enrollment
150
Registered
2022-04-28
Start date
2022-05-01
Completion date
2027-06-30
Last updated
2026-07-01

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

Conditions

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

Brief summary

The overarching aim of this proposal is to test the efficacy of financial incentives in improving HbA1c, blood pressure, and quality of life in food insecure adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. Using a clinical trial design, the investigators will randomize food insecure adults with type 2 diabetes to one of three financial incentive structures in combination with monthly mailings that will include diabetes education, healthy recipes, and meal planning resources.

Detailed description

Study Overview: The overarching aim of this proposal is to test the efficacy of financial incentives in improving HbA1c, blood pressure, and quality of life in food insecure adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. Using a clinical trial design, the investigators will randomize 150 (50 per arm) food insecure adults with type 2 diabetes to one of three financial incentive structures in combination with monthly mailings that will include diabetes education, healthy recipes, and meal planning resources. Each individual will be followed for 6 months, with study visits at baseline, post-intervention (3-months), and 6 months. The primary outcome will be glycemic control (HbA1c) measured at 6 months post-randomization, while the secondary outcomes will include blood pressure and quality of life at 6 months post-randomization. Each outcome will be investigated for within group change and between group change. Finally, a cost and cost effectiveness analysis will be conducted to inform implementation in a broader population. Patient Randomization. A permuted block randomization method will be used to assign subjects to control or intervention. The research assistant will collect eligibility information and enter it into the study database via the secured RedCap study website. Once eligibility is confirmed, the computer will generate the intervention assignment based on the pre-programmed randomization scheme. All subjects who are randomized will be entered into the study database and analyzed according to CONSORT guidelines . Description of the LIFT-FINANCE Intervention. LIFT FINANCE is comprised of education and a structured financial incentive. All participants will receive a diabetes education booklet and monthly diabetes education modules mailed to their home, that will include healthy menu recommendations, meal planning resources, and healthy recipes that are affordable and easy to make. In addition, participants will receive one of three structured incentives: Group 1: Monthly Unconditional Financial Incentive - this group will receive monthly unconditional incentive of $100 per month for 6 months to supplement income and enhance ability to purchase healthy food options. No requirements will be placed on how or where funds will be spent. Group 2: Monthly Unconditional Plus Healthy Food Purchasing Financial Incentive - this group will receive monthly unconditional incentive of $100 per month for 6 months to supplement income and enhance ability to purchase healthy food options. In addition, participants will receive an additional $25 incentive per week if receipt for purchase of healthy food items from a grocery store is provided. Group 3: Monthly Unconditional Plus Healthy Food Purchasing Plus Glycemic Control Financial Incentive - this group will receive monthly unconditional incentive of $100 per month for 6 months to supplement income and enhance ability to purchase healthy food options. In addition, participants will receive an additional $25 incentive per week if receipt for purchase of healthy food items from a grocery store is provided. Finally, participants will receive incentives for absolute drop in hemoglobin A1c at 6 months as follows: If HbA1c has dropped 2% or more from baseline, or absolute HbA1c is less than 7%, the additional incentive will be $150. If HbA1c has dropped between 1% to 1.9% from baseline the additional incentive will be $100. If HbA1c has dropped between 0.5% to 0.9% from baseline the additional incentive will be $50.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALMonthly Unconditional Financial Incentive

No requirements will be placed on how or where funds will be spent.

BEHAVIORALWeekly Food Purchasing Financial Incentive

Incentive for healthy food purchases

BEHAVIORALGlycemic Control Financial Incentive

Incentive for absolute drop in HbA1c

BEHAVIORALDiabetes Education

mailed education information

Sponsors

State University of New York at Buffalo
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age 21 years or older * clinical diagnosis of type 2 diabetes * HbA1c of 9 or higher at screening visit * screen positive for food insecurity using food insecurity risk tool * ability to communicate in English

Exclusion criteria

* mental confusion on interview suggesting significant dementia * participation in other diabetes clinical trial * alcohol or drug abuse/dependency based on CAGE screening tool * active psychosis or acute mental disorder * life expectancy of less than 6 months

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Glycemic control (HbA1c)6-months post randomizationPoint of care A1c machine will be used to obtain HbA1c

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic)6-months post randomizationBlood pressure readings (both systolic and diastolic) will be obtained using automated BP monitors programmed to take 3 readings at 2 minute intervals and give average of the 3 readings
Quality of life as measured by the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12)6-months post randomizationThe Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) version 1, developed by Ware et al. in 1996 is a valid and reliable instrument that will be used to measure quality of life. Scores will be reported in physical health related (PCS) and mental health related (MCS). Scores range from 0 to 100 with higher scores indicating better quality of life.

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORRebekah J Walker, PhD

University at Buffalo

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jul 2, 2026