Pet Care + Communication Training for Type 1 Diabetes

Overseen By Olga Gupta

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Duke University

Disqualifiers: Type 2 DM, Foster care, Psychiatric disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 12 weeks

60 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on adding pet care and communication training to your routine, so you may not need to change your medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Collaborative Communication, Routine Pet Fish Care for Type 1 Diabetes?

Research shows that children who actively care for pets are more likely to manage their blood sugar levels effectively, which is crucial for controlling Type 1 Diabetes. Additionally, communication training has been shown to improve satisfaction and engagement, which could support better diabetes management through improved patient-provider interactions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is pet care and communication training safe for people with type 1 diabetes?

The studies reviewed do not report any safety concerns related to pet care or communication training for people with type 1 diabetes. They suggest positive effects on well-being and glycemic control, but more research is needed to fully understand the safety and benefits. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

How does the treatment 'Collaborative Communication' differ from other treatments for Type 1 Diabetes?

The 'Collaborative Communication' treatment is unique because it combines pet care with communication training, which is not a standard approach for managing Type 1 Diabetes. This treatment leverages the positive impact of responsible pet ownership on glycemic control and enhances patient engagement through improved communication skills, offering a novel way to support self-management in youths with Type 1 Diabetes. ^{1 3 4 6 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if incorporating the structured care of a pet fish into a family-based diabetes self-care routine combined with communication skills training works to improve glycemic control, blood glucose monitoring frequency and blood glucose review in early adolescents with suboptimal control of type 1 diabetes.

Research Team

Olga Gupta

Principal Investigator

Duke University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for early adolescents with type 1 diabetes who struggle to keep their blood sugar levels under control. Participants should be interested in taking care of a pet fish and willing to learn new communication skills as part of their diabetes management routine.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes for over a year.

I currently have a pet fish or am willing to get one if needed.

I am between 10 and 13 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Current participation in another study that may impact glycemic control

Dual-home living situation

I show signs of having type 2 diabetes.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a 12-week intervention incorporating pet fish care into diabetes self-care routines, with weekly collaborative communication meetings

12 weeks

Weekly data uploads and reviews

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including assessments of glycemic control and self-care adherence

3 months

Monthly intervals, up to 6 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Collaborative Communication
• Routine Pet Fish Care

Trial Overview The study tests if adding the responsibility of caring for a pet fish and improving family communication helps young people manage their type 1 diabetes better, by looking at how often they check and control their blood sugar levels.

Participant Groups

Group I: Pet Fish with Integrated Diabetes Care + Collaborative Communication Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants will receive specific instructions for coupling daily and weekly fish care and diabetes care throughout the 12-week intervention and how to conduct weekly collaborative communication meetings.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in the Control Group will be told to monitor BG (blood glucose) four times daily, review BG readings with their parent weekly and document on their device's software.

Group III: Pet Fish with Integrated Diabetes Care Only Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in the Pet Fish with Integrated Diabetes Care Only Group will be provided specific instructions for coupling the fish care and diabetes care throughout the 12-week intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Duke University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,495

Recruited

5,912,000+

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Collaborator

Trials

1,588

Recruited

4,364,000+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

On-site communication skills education increases client-centered communication in four companion animal practices. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Investigation of the effects of a practice-level communication training program on veterinary health-care team members' communication confidence, client satisfaction, and practice financial metrics. [2020]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Association between Responsible Pet Ownership and Glycemic Control in Youths with Type 1 Diabetes. [2020]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Outcomes assessment of on-site communication skills education in a companion animal practice. [2019]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of a novel communication and consultation skills model (WISE COACH) on dog owner perceptions of veterinarians and projected spending on veterinary care. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Puppy Love, Adolescence, and Chronic Illness: The Importance of Pets for Youth with Type 1 Diabetes. [2020]

7. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perceptions about professionally and non-professionally trained hypoglycemia detection dogs. [2018]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Investigation into the value of trained glycaemia alert dogs to clients with type I diabetes. [2022]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Companion animal veterinarians' use of clinical communication skills. [2013]