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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether caring for a pet fish and learning communication skills can help early adolescents better manage type 1 diabetes. The study aims to improve the frequency of blood sugar checks and the review of results. Participants will be divided into groups: some will incorporate pet care and collaborative communication training, while others will focus solely on pet care or standard diabetes monitoring. This trial suits children aged 10 to 13 who have had type 1 diabetes for at least a year and are willing to care for a fish. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity for participants to explore innovative diabetes management methods.

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.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that collaborative efforts among caregivers in diabetes care are generally safe and can lead to better health outcomes, with no major safety concerns reported.

Regarding pet fish care, studies suggest it is safe and may enhance well-being. Regularly caring for a pet fish has been linked to improved blood sugar levels in children with diabetes. No safety issues have been reported for individuals with type 1 diabetes who care for fish.

Overall, existing research indicates that both approaches are well-tolerated. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores innovative ways to manage Type 1 Diabetes, focusing on integrating pet care with diabetes management. Unlike traditional treatments that rely heavily on medication and blood sugar monitoring, this approach combines diabetes care with the responsibility of caring for a pet fish. The trial examines whether the routine of fish care can enhance collaborative communication between children and parents, potentially leading to better diabetes management. By merging everyday activities with health routines, this method may offer a unique, holistic approach to managing Type 1 Diabetes, fostering a sense of accountability and communication within families.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for type 1 diabetes?

Research has shown that collaboration can help people with type 1 diabetes lower their blood sugar levels. Studies have found that teamwork in managing diabetes leads to better health, including lower HbA1c levels, which measure average blood sugar over several months. In this trial, participants in the "Pet Fish with Integrated Diabetes Care + Collaborative Communication" arm will engage in collaborative communication as part of their diabetes management.

Additionally, caring for a pet fish has been found to help teenagers manage their diabetes better. Previous studies indicate that adding pet care to daily routines can improve blood sugar control and encourage more regular monitoring. In this trial, participants in the "Pet Fish with Integrated Diabetes Care Only" arm will focus on integrating pet fish care with their diabetes management. Both methods have shown promising results in managing type 1 diabetes more effectively. ^{2 3 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Olga Gupta

Principal Investigator

Duke University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2989842/

Web-Based Collaborative Care for Type 1 Diabetes Given the enrolled sample size, the trial had sufficient statistical power (80%) to detect a difference in A1C change of 0.65% between study groups and 99% ...

2. diabetesjournals.org diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S14/157553/1-Improving-Care-and-Promoting-Health-in

1. Improving Care and Promoting Health in Populations Several models have been demonstrated to improve aspects of diabetes care delivery and health outcomes. The Chronic Care Model (CCM) is a ...

3. diabetes.jmir.org diabetes.jmir.org/2025/1/e64096

School-Partnered Collaborative Care (SPACE) for Pediatric ... Background: School-partnered interventions may improve health outcomes for children with type 1 diabetes, though there is limited evidence ...

4. jcrpe.org jcrpe.org/articles/the-effect-of-parental-collaboration-on-diabetes-self-efficacy-quality-of-life-and-hba1c-level-in-adolescents-diagnosed-with-type-1-diabetes/jcrpe.galenos.2024.2024-4-7

The Effect of Parental Collaboration on Diabetes Self-efficacy ... The results of the present study showed that regular insulin use had no significant effect on the increase in QoL but almost all (97%) participants reported ...

5. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2776302

Assessment of Interprofessional Collaborative Practices ... This systematic review and meta-analysis found that ICP was associated with reductions in HbA 1c regardless of baseline levels as well as with reduced SBP and ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2729681/

Collaborative Involvement of Primary and Secondary Caregivers Conclusions Higher collaborative involvement, particularly among primary caregivers, was associated with favorable status along a variety of diabetes outcomes.

7. dl.acm.org dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3613904.3642344

Shared Responsibility in Collaborative Tracking for ... The collaborative tracking of children's Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) yielded several benefits for both children and parents, such as improved self- ...