NCT03761251

Pet Ownership and Glucose Control in Early Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 15 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 10 Years – 13 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study evaluates the short-term effects of incorporating the structured care of a pet fish into a diabetes self-care routine on glucose control in early adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Detailed description

Efficacy of treatment for Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is dependent on adherence to self-care behaviors and collaborative parental involvement. Adolescence is a vulnerable time for the deterioration of glycemic control in patients with T1DM. In particular, parental monitoring declines during early adolescence. This often occurs before the child has developed self-efficacy and competence in independently performing diabetes-related tasks, including blood glucose monitoring. Consequently, there is a great need for innovative strategies in early adolescents that promote self-efficacy development and facilitate parental involvement.

Conditions

• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
• Adolescent Behavior

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Pet Fish	Participants will be provided a fish tank with supplies to care for the fish and access to a fish (Betta splendens) from a local pet store. All participants will receive specific instructions for coupling the fish care and diabetes care: 1. feed fish one pellet in the morning after waking; check and record BG reading at that time 2. feed fish one pellet in the evening before dinner; check and record BG reading at that time 3. feed fish one pellet at night before bedtime; check and record BG reading at that time 4. every week clean the tank alternating with test the water quality in partnership with caregiver; review blood glucose readings with caregiver with each weekly fish care activity and problem solve any issues related to the blood glucose pattern. Each child will also receive two books intended to supplement and enrich their pet fish experience.

Timeline

• Start date: 2018-10-31
• Primary completion: 2019-07-09
• Completion: 2019-09-25
• First posted: 2018-12-03
• Last updated: 2019-10-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States