mHealth Biometrics for young people with Diabetes (MOTIVATE- HfH)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mobile Health Biometrics to Enhance Exercise and Physical Activity Adherence in children and young people with Diabetes (MOTIVATE HfH)
IRAS ID
298480
Contact name
Matthew Cocks
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Liverpool John Moores University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
Regular physical activity and exercise are one of the cornerstones of diabetes management in children and young people with diabetes. However, encouraging children with diabetes to maintain a physically active lifestyle is challenging. Therefore, research is needed to identify more effective methods to help adolescents with diabetes increase their everyday physical activity and exercise regularly.
The aim of the study is to investigate the use of mobile health technology to support an exercise counselling intervention in adolescents (12-18 years) with diabetes (type 1 and type 2 diabetes). We hypothesise that the use of mobile health technology will increase adherence to physical activity and exercise guidelines in adolescents with diabetes, improving clinical outcomes.
The study will recruit patients from the Children’s Diabetes clinic at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 30 participants (n=20 with type 1 diabetes, n=10 with type 2 diabetes) will be recruited and randomly assigned to one of two groups (active control n=15, intervention n=15). All participants will complete the 12 week Here for Health intervention, a group education programme promoting healthy lifestyles choices, developed by the Paediatric Diabetes Dietitians at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Following this initial intervention period participants in the active control group will continue with their habitual lifestyle with no further input from the Children’s Diabetes team. The intervention group will complete a 12 week exercise counselling intervention, supported through the use of mobile health technology. Participants will be provide with a wristwatch that can monitor everyday activity and their heart rate, a smartphone app and access to a website. Clinical measures will be taken at baseline, and after intervention periods 1 and 2. Changes in physical activity, glycaemia control and body composition will be assessed. A study specific questionnaire will assess barriers and facilitators to the intervention.
Summary of Results
The study aimed to assess the feasibility of a mobile health technology–supported physical activity counselling intervention in young people living with type 1 diabetes.Recruitment began in September 2021 and concluded in July 2024. The planned recruitment period was six months; however, it ultimately extended to almost three years. Despite this extension, we were unable to reach the target of 30 participants. Retention was also low, with only 5 participants (28%) providing post-intervention data.
In conclusion, the findings indicate that the intervention and study design, as implemented, are not feasible in this population.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
21/WS/0056
Date of REC Opinion
14 May 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion