Evaluation of a Self-Awareness Intervention for Adults with Type 1 Diabetes and Hypoglycemia Unawareness

Abstract

The purpose of this prospective before-and-after study was to determine whether there are psychosocial and physical benefits of a self-awareness intervention for adults with type 1 diabetes and hypoglycemia unawareness (HU). A total of 29 adults participated in the self-awareness intervention of 8 sessions, each lasting 3 hours. Psychosocial (integration, diabetes quality of life) and physical (number of body cues, HU-related events, HbA1c) measures were taken at baseline and at 6, 12, and 18 months post-intervention. Post-intervention the participants detected more cues of euglycemia and hypoglycemia and experienced significant increases in integration and metabolic control (HbA1c). The number of HU-related events was not decreased and diabetes quality-of-life results were unstable. A self-awareness intervention can have physical and psychosocial benefits and has implications for diabetes education. This intervention needs to be tested in a multi-centre randomized control trial.