SPEAR
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Supporting behaviour change through Personalised, Empathic Autonomy-supportive Relationships
IRAS ID
214048
Contact name
Rodger Graham
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 8 days
Research summary
Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a challenging health condition that is increasingly prevalent in adults. The condition impairs the body’s ability to utilize and produce a hormone called insulin which controls blood sugar levels. T2DM can cause a range of associated health complications that may have devastating effects on human health - for example, serious cardiac events, loss of kidney function, visual impairment, painful nerve damage (neuropathies), foot problems and even limb loss. Complications can in most cases be minimised, stalled or avoided through healthy diet and physical activity. Treatment usually evolves throughout the illness, often requiring only dietary and exercise modifications initially. However, these lifestyle changes may prove insufficient to avoid requirement for a range of diabetes-related medications and, eventually, the use of multiple daily insulin injections to regulate blood sugar.
Lifestyle changes of this kind are challenging and difficult to sustain - however, research demonstrates that intensive, personalised health coaching may help patients with T2DM improve health through behavioural change. Likewise, data indicates that wearable activity trackers (e.g. Fitbit) can also enhance activity and fitness levels, and in particular may reduce cardiac risk. Research also suggests that patients may prefer certain methods of cardiac risk communication. Hence, in this study we ask the following questions:
i) What method of cardiac risk-communication is most acceptable to patients with T2DM?
ii) Is 12 months of intensive coaching and/or wearable technology (Fitbit) superior to diabetes treatment as usual (TAU) ?
We plan to consent and randomise T2DM patients aged 40-69 into one of four groups, each with 25 participants. These include, i) TAU, or ii) TAU with Fitbit,or iii) TAU with coaching, or iv) TAU with coaching and Fitbit. A range of data is to be collected including cardiac risk, Fitbit data, mental health, and qualitative feedback by focus group.REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
17/NI/0031
Date of REC Opinion
26 May 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion