Can Behavioral Support Enhance CGM Use in T1D?

TOPLINE: 

Behavioral support for first-time users of a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device showed no significant difference in reduction of A1c levels compared with CGM alone in the management of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Adults in both groups reported reduced diabetes distress.

METHODOLOGY:

• Automated insulin delivery systems are the standard of care for adults with T1D, and using them requires both an insulin pump and a CGM device.
• A randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the use of CGM among 134 adults with T1D who had not previously used CGM (mean age, 35 years; 77% women; 55% not using an insulin pump) who were recruited from clinics and T1D organizations across the United States.
• Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: one received CGM alone and the other received CGM plus the ONBOARD behavioral intervention, both for 3 months.
• The ONBOARD intervention included four 60-minute virtual, 1:1 biweekly sessions to address barriers related to wearing the device, data management, social concerns, and trust.
• Changes in A1c levels and diabetes distress scores were evaluated using t-tests and linear mixed-effect models over 12 months.

TAKEAWAY:

• At 12 months after initiating CGM, 80% of participants in the ONBOARD group and 71% in the CGM-only group reported using CGM.
• Both the CGM-only and ONBOARD groups showed significant reductions in A1c levels (P < .05), with no significant difference between the groups.
• Participants in both groups experienced significant and clinically meaningful decreases in diabetes distress (P < .001). The CGM-only group showed greater reductions in diabetes distress than the ONBOARD group at 3 months; reductions were similar between groups at 6 and 12 months.

IN PRACTICE:

“Findings highlight benefits of introducing CGM on diabetes management and diabetes distress for adults with T1D. Most participants were still using CGM 12 months after initiating use through the study, indicating durable uptake,” the authors write.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Molly L. Tanenbaum, PhD, Stanford University School of Medicine, California. The poster will be presented on June 23 at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 85th Scientific Sessions, being held June 20-23 at the McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, Illinois.

LIMITATIONS: 

No study limitations were discussed in the abstract.

DISCLOSURES:

One author disclosed consulting roles with Sanofi and Havas Health, an advisory role with MannKind Corporation, and receiving research support from embecta.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.