Adapting to new-onset type 1 diabetes in adults: The LADDER Study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A Feasibilty Study and Process Evaluation of an Integrated Support Programme for Adults Following a Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes- the Living with and ADapting to DiabetEs PRogramme (LADDER)

• IRAS ID

  298717

• Contact name

  Angus Forbes

• Contact email

  angus.forbes@kcl.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  King's College London

• ISRCTN Number

  ISRCTN17358613

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 5 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  In this study, we will test and optimise a programme of support for adults (aged ≥20) with new onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) to help them adjust to living with diabetes and integrate the diabetes self-care responsibilities such as taking insulin and blood sugar tests multiple times each day as part of their lives.
  The programme was designed with adults with new onset T1D and health care professionals to address the support needs of adults following the diagnosis. The programme is called the Living with and ADapting to DiabetEs PRogramme (LADDER). The aim of this study is to see if participating in the programme improves the physical, psychological, and social wellbeing of adults with new onset T1D. The programme has two elements: early psychological support using visual conversation tools in one-to-one sessions with health professionals in clinical settings at GSTT and KCH; and group sessions conducted at GSTT co-delivered by a person with T1D and a health professional. The programme covers:
  • the emotional, physical, and social impact of diabetes in everyday life
  • understanding diabetes care
  The study lasts 18 months, and we aim to assess the participants’ experiences within the programme and the way it impacts on their social and psychological wellbeing and how they look after their diabetes. In-so-doing we will identify the views of adults with new onset T1D on the different programme components. This understanding together with the assessment of the programme’s impact will enable us to improve the programme before we test it in a larger study. In addition, we aim to collect information which will help us design a future study by considering issues in relation to: the recruitment of adults with new onset T1D to the study; how many participants complete the programme; and the measures we use to assess the impact and the delivery of the programme.

• REC name

  North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  22/NW/0053

• Date of REC Opinion

  7 Apr 2022

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion