The burden of having diabetes is enormous and our researchers are conducting a study trying to understand how we can help relieve the anxiety that may lead to mental health issues.
One of these studies is the Resilience and Diabetes - Study 2 (RAD 2).
The study, which is being undertaken by the Diabetes Team at Princess Margaret Hospital in collaboration with researchers from The Kids Research Institute Australia, will be looking at real-time changes in stress, anxiety and blood glucose levels in adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes.
RAD 2 Study coordinator Anna Hunt said this would be done by collecting information about blood glucose levels through a fitted continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and asking the child how they were feeling throughout the day via a smartphone app.
“The aim is to help us better understand moment-to-moment changes in stress and blood glucose level, which is actually poorly understood,” she said.
“If your child has never used a CGM, they will have a trial period before commencing the study where they will wear the monitor for a few weeks to get used to it.
“Before starting the trial, we will ask participants to answer some questionnaires about how they are feeling. The CGM will then be fitted, and we will describe in the process of using the smartphone app. These will be used for the next 10 days.”
The RAD 2 Study is looking for young people with Type 1 Diabetes (for more than 12 months) aged between 12 and 18 years to participate in the study.
If you have any questions or would like more information about this study, please contact Anna Hunt on 9489 7672 or anna.hunt@telethonkids.org.au.