Case study: feasibility of multisystemic therapy as a treatment for urban adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility of using multisystemic therapy (MST), an intensive, home-based psychotherapy, to improve poor metabolic control among four adolescents with type 1 diabetes.


METHODS
A multiple baseline, repeated measures design was used. Blood glucose readings were obtained every 2 weeks during a baseline period, a 7-month intervention, and a month-long postintervention period. Glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) was measured at baseline and follow-up and was contrasted between two participants who received MST and two participants who did not receive the intervention.


RESULTS
Intervention participants showed improvements in health status, as well as fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings from this case study suggest that MST has the potential to improve treatment adherence and metabolic control among teens with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes.
Wayne State University, USA. dellis@med.wayne.edu
Deborah A
DA
Ellis
Sylvie
S
Naar-King
Maureen
M
Frey
Melisa
M
Rowland
Nancy
N
Greger
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011613:Psychotherapy; D014505:Urban Population
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin