Join Virtual Trial Investigating the Benefits of Diabetes Education
By April Hopcroft
The Behavioral Diabetes Institute is testing out a new diabetes education program for adults with type 2 diabetes throughout the U.S. Participants will receive financial compensation, diabetes supplies, and a personalized education plan.
Trial Name: The AH-HA! Project: Enhancing the Benefits of Group Diabetes Education
Diabetes Type: Type 2 diabetes
Trial Sponsor: Behavioral Diabetes Institute in San Diego, CA
What is the trial researching?
This study is investigating how a new type of diabetes education program affects glycemic control and quality of life. This study specifically focuses on people with type 2 who are trying to better manage their blood sugar levels.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two different group education programs:
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In the first group, participants will be encouraged to use their own blood glucose meters to support the diabetes management skills taught in small group sessions.
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In the second group, participants will receive a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to support the diabetes management skills taught in small group sessions.
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Both groups will meet for about 75 minutes each week on Zoom, for five weeks in a row. During the online sessions, participants will receive personalized information to improve their diabetes management.
Learn more about the study here.
Why is this trial important?
Education is a key part of successful diabetes management. Research shows that people who participate in diabetes education are more likely to follow self-care practices, which could translate to better outcomes and quality of life.
However, formal diabetes education programs are vastly underused by people with diabetes. In 2017-18, just 52% of people with diabetes reported ever attending a diabetes education class. This could be due to many different reasons, such as transportation barriers, not being engaged in classes, or challenges with affordability.
The current study seeks to address some of these barriers to successful diabetes education by delivering personalized classes, which are likely to be more engaging for participants. Since the classes take place on Zoom, participants can join from anywhere in the U.S. and don’t need to worry about transportation.
Trial investigator Dr. William Polonsky, president and founder of the Behavioral Diabetes Institute, explained that group sessions will offer diabetes education combined with personal glucose monitoring experiments.
“Individuals can learn, using their own data, how positive self-care actions can make a tangible positive difference in their own diabetes outcomes,” Polonsky said.
“There are no boring lectures – the majority of all group sessions are directed towards addressing participants’ questions and concerns and supporting personal discoveries with the amazing tools that are our glucose monitoring systems,” he added.
In a small pilot study, participants who participated in five group sessions with personalized diabetes education improved their time in range by nearly 20%, from 55% at the start of the study to 74% by the third month. Participants also saw nearly a 20% drop in time above range.
Are you interested?
You may be eligible to participate if you:
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Have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for at least one year
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Are at least 25 years old
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Have an A1C of 7.5% or higher
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Live within the U.S.
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Have access to a stable internet connection and can attend five weekly Zoom video sessions
People with type 1 diabetes are not eligible for this trial.
Participants who complete the full study will be eligible to receive up to $175 in Amazon gift cards.
For more information visit the study website, contact AHHAStudy@behavioraldiabetes.org, or call 858-336-8693.
Learn more about diabetes education here:
