Pet Ownership and Glucose Control in Type 1 Diabetes

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The investigators' long-term goal is to discover novel, inexpensive and feasible strategies to improve the management and well-being of youth with T1DM. The specific objective of this proposal is to quantify the impact of responsible pet ownership on the glycemic control and health related quality of life in youth with T1DM.

Detailed Description
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Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) affects 151,000 children and adolescents in the United States. Youth with T1DM are at a high risk for multiple psychosocial co-morbidities including poor health related quality of life (HRQoL) which is linked to medication non-compliance and increased risk for diabetes-related complications. Any reduction in the psychosocial adjustment difficulties related to T1DM could improve the medical outcome of children with T1DM. Current standards for diabetes management reflect the need to maintain glucose control within a normal range. However, numerous reports indicate that normalization of blood glucose levels is seldom attainable in children and adolescents. Family cohesion, positive coping strategies, younger age of onset, social support and adequate self-regulatory behavior are found to favorably influence glycemic control. One may conclude that the presence of a companion animal, capable of enhancing the positive factors named above, would augment the array of tools available for the successful management of chronic illnesses such as T1DM. There is a lack of studies assessing the impact of pet ownership on the health and well-being of adolescents. The process of caring for, loving and being loved by a companion animal could offer direct and/or indirect benefits to the HRQoL in children with T1DM. To the investigators' knowledge, there are no studies examining the impact of pet ownership on glycemic control and HRQoL in youth with T1DM.

Official Title
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Impact of Pet Ownership on Glycemic Control in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes

Conditions
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Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Pet Fish
* Behavioral: Picture of a fish


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: English-speaking patients 10 to 18 years diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for at least 12 months poor diabetes control as defined by having a hemoglobin A1c value > 8% Exclusion Criteria: type 2 diabetes developmental delay current participation in another study that may impact glycemic control

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 10 Years
Maximum Age: 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Sham Comparator: Picture of a fish<br>Participants will receive a picture of a betta fish. | Behavioral: Picture of a fish<br>* Participants will receive a picture of a betta fish.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Pet fish<br>Participants will receive a betta fish and the supplies to care for the fish for a one year time period. | Behavioral: Pet Fish<br>* Participants will receive a betta fish and the supplies to care for the fish for a one year time period.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Glycemic control | Hemoglobin A1c values | 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HRQoL | Generic and diabetes-specific health related quality of life | 9 months | 
| Self Management of Diabetes in Adolescents | Self management of diabetes in adolescence questionnaire | 12 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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adolescence, self care