Online CBT for Type 1 diabetes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The ‘Diabetes with Online Therapy’ Study (DOT): A feasibility study of the effectiveness of online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for improving glycaemic control for people with type 1 diabetes
IRAS ID
139624
Contact name
Khalida Ismail
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Research summary
Diabetes is a chronic condition that puts a lot of stress on patients’ lives and demands high self motivation to stick to therapy regimes and lifestyle changes. Some patients develop unhelpful thinking patterns or behaviours that additionally interfere with their ability to control their diabetes. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in addressing such issues helping patients to make changes. However, not all patients are able to come to regular facetoface sessions, as they might live too far away or have working hours not compatible with the usual timeframe. Thus, alternative ways are sought after.
Amongst it, an online instant messenger system (“PsychologyOnline”) could be shown to be equally effective in delivering CBT as usual facetoface sessions without the limitations mentioned above. The aim of this study is to establish if an online CBT programme for diabetic patients helps them to achieve better control their diabetes and improve blood sugar levels. As this is only a pilot study, there is no randomisation. Patients will be recruited from the register at King’s College Hospital who a poorly controlled diabetes for at least 6 months.
They receive some questionnaires to check for mental health problems and level of distress with their diabetes, and a check of their longterm glucose parameter initially as well as after 2 and 6 months. CBT consists of 10 50min sessions via the online messenger system, which is an NHS approved software to protect patient confidentiality.
To fully integrate medical and psychological care, the sessions will be delivered either by psychiatrists specified in diabetes or by diabetes nurses trained in CBT. Regular supervisions with a senior psychiatrist make sure that all sessions are in line with the protocol. With this intervention we hope to support patients with diabetes who might otherwise not get help.REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0424
Date of REC Opinion
14 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion