Learning self-management for diabetes care
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease which usually manifests in childhood. Cells in the pancreas which help control blood glucose levels (by secreting insulin) are destroyed by the immune system and therefore people living with this disease have a considerable life-long burden of managing their glucose levels.
Adolescence and young adulthood is a time when optimal glycaemic control is hardest to achieve for those living with type 1 diabetes. Self-management is essential to maintain optimal blood glucose levels. However, despite improvements in diabetes care and advances in diabetes technology, adolescents and young adults with diabetes remain at high risk for suboptimal glycaemic control and subsequent long-term complications.
The OPTIMISE study is employing a multi-pronged approach to help our young people living with type 1 diabetes to better manage this process.
Identifying factors that help manage type 1 diabetes
Getting enough sleep, snacking as part of a routine meal plan, coping with diabetes, and frequent glucose level checks are all important for our rangatahi (young people) living with type 1 diabetes.
The purpose of the OPTIMISE study is to find out if combining brief interventions that target each of these behaviours will help glucose levels stay in a healthy range. This research will focus on those in the 13-20 years age group who have had blood glucose levels above the recommended range over the last 6 months.
The study will run for 6 weeks and (depending on which study group you are randomly assigned to) may include:
- continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) using Dexcom G6
- education on healthful snacking
- a tailored bedtime to extend sleep time
- a values-guided self-management goal setting session
Find out more about the study
To find out more, and to check if you are eligible to join the study, you can access the participant information sheet here:
If you have further questions please contact the OPTIMISE study lead researcher: Dr Sara Styles
Researcher profiles:
- Dr Sara Styles (PI)
- Associate Professor Ben Wheeler
- Dr Jillian Haszard
- Professor Barbara Galland
- Professor Esko Wiltshire
- Associate Professor Martin de Bock
- Dr Carmel Smart
- Dr Anna Campbell
- Associate Professor Craig Jefferies
- Dr Miriama Ketu-McKenzie (Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Ngāti Raukawa ki Horowhenua), clinical psychologist
- Ms Ruth Thomson, Dietetic and Nutrition Services (SDHB)
- Ms Jenny Rayns, Paediatric Outpatients (SDHB)
- Mrs Shelley Rose
- Lara Ware, Research Fellow
- Rawiri Kapa-Hakeney (Te Aupōuri and Ngāpuhi), student researcher
- Kate Campbell, student researcher
- Keyle Brown, student researcher
Contact Dr Sara Styles to check if you are eligible to join the OPTIMISE study.
