Increasing problem solving in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: the choices diabetes program.
The purpose of this pilot study was to test the hypothesis that adolescents with type 1 diabetes can learn to become better problem solvers in diabetes self-care and thereby improve their metabolic control.



Fifty-three adolescents aged 13 to 17 with type 1 diabetes were randomly assigned to either a 6-week problem-solving diabetes education program or to a control group (usual care). A1C levels were obtained as well as assessments of problem solving, frequency of behavior, level of responsibility, and 24-hour behavior recall at baseline and 6 months.



The experimental group participants showed significantly improved problem-solving test scores and A1C values from baseline to 6 months, changes not evident in the control group. At 6 months, the experimental group participants were doing blood glucose testing more often than those in the control group. However, there was no significant difference in problem-solving test scores or A1C values.



This 6-week intervention for adolescents with diabetes resulted in better problem-solving skills, more frequent blood glucose testing, and improved A1C values. The results suggest that a diabetes problem-solving program for adolescents can be effective in improving metabolic control.
Cook
Sandy
S
University of Chicago,Chicago, Illinois
Herold
Kevan
K
Columbia University, New York
Edidin
Deborah V
DV
Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
Briars
Rosemary
R
The University of Chicago, La Rabida Children's Hospital, Illinois
D000293:Adolescent; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin