Behavior, Health, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
Conditions
Keywords
app, game, children, pediatrics
Brief summary
The goal of this study is to evaluate the impact of a mobile app video game called Digital Vaccine for Type 1 Diabetes (DVx-T1D)™, proposed as a low-risk, non-invasive, digital therapeutic candidate for behavior change in children 6 to 12 years of age with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). The investigators hypothesize that adoption of DVx-T1D™ by T1D patients will positively influence healthy dietary and physical activity behaviors by providing nutrition and lifestyle education through a playful, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based, cartoon-style medium of mobile gaming, and result in improvements in their T1D control. The investigators propose to conduct a longitudinal randomized controlled trial (RCT) over a 3-month period with a study population of 80 T1D participants (40 each in two arms of the trial) of 6-12 years old. The investigators will quantify the impact of the mobile game app plus standard care vs. standard care (with no exposure to the app) on T1D control (assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin or HbA1c measured during clinic visits and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) parameters measured at home), physical activity levels and food choices of children (measured using food logs and surveys). Game telemetry, food logs, clinical, anthropometric, demographic, and survey data will be collected to obtain adequately powered, theory-driven evidence of the value of game-based approaches delivered via mobile apps.
Detailed description
Youth with T1D who comply with inclusion criteria and provide consent will be randomized to either the treatment arm (will be given a tablet with the game) or the control arm (no tablet will be given, no exposure to the game). Participants in both arms will continue receiving standard of care treatment. Participants will be asked to maintain food and activity logs and answer questionnaires about lifestyle. Participants will be evaluated at baseline and at 3 months with interim contact in between. Devices will be downloaded to collect app usage data (game telemetry). Exposure time will be tracked by the application. Survey to elicit barriers and challenges encountered during the study will also be conducted.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALDVx-T1D™ app
The intervention group will be introduced to the DVx-T1D™ app and the participants will go home with the tablets that has the game installed. Participants will be asked to play the game for 20 mins or more daily. The aim of the app is to impart good behavioral changes in children with T1D in terms of diabetes education, on how to treat a low or a high blood sugar event and make healthy eating choices.
Sponsors
University of Pittsburgh
Carnegie Mellon University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
The investigators propose to conduct a longitudinal randomized controlled trial (RCT) over a 3-month period with a study population of 80 participants (40 in each arm) of 6-12 years old youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D).The investigators will quantify the impact of the mobile game app vs. standard care on T1D control (assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin or HbA1c measured during clinic visits and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) parameters), physical activity levels and food choices of children (measured using food logs and surveys). The study will also assess changes in children's knowledge about the measured outcomes and investigate the feasibility and acceptability of game adoption and the barriers and challenges faced by patients, families and clinicians.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 12 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
For youth: * Be between the age of 6 to 12 years. * Have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for at least 1 year. * Be currently taking insulin through multiple daily injections or an insulin pump. * Check blood sugar with a meter at least 4 times per day or use a continuous glucose monitor. * Be willing to comply with all study visits and procedures. For Parent: * Biological or adopted parent with custody and medical decision making of the patients * Living with identified patients * Over 18 years old * Resident of Allegheny County
Exclusion criteria
-Children with type 2 diabetes, cystic fibrosis related diabetes, or secondary diabetes.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in HbA1c values and and insulin dose adjusted HbA1c before and after the intervention | Three months | Change in HbA1C level and insulin dose adjusted HbA1c from baseline to 3 months. |
| Change in glucose average and variability | Three months | Change in glucose average and variability as assessed by mean glucose and standard deviation (SD) as well as other continuous glucose monitor (CGM) parameters for those using this device. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Changes in the quality of food consumption | Three months | Changes in the quality of food consumption by comparing patients' food logs before and after the intervention, reported food choices and physical activity levels in the logs and surveys, and T1D specific diet and physical activity knowledge (for both participants and their parents). |
| Change in game play patterns over time | Three months | Game play patterns learned from telemetry data over the 3 months of the experiment will be tracked and used to relate to the outcomes. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactRema Padman, PhD
Backup ContactNeha Sudhir
Outcome results
None listed