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Original Articles

Computerized intervention to increase motivation for diabetes self-management in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

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Pages 236-250 | Received 16 Mar 2015, Accepted 31 Jul 2015, Published online: 03 Sep 2015
 

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of a three-session computer intervention to improve diabetes management among African-American youth with type 1 diabetes. Methods: The 3 Ms (Medication, Meter, and Meals) intervention was based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model of health behavior change and Motivational Interviewing approaches. Feasibility was assessed based on rates of intervention participation and intervention satisfaction using a mixed-methods approach. Participants included 23 youths aged 10–13. Results: Mean satisfaction rates from questionnaires were high across ratings for both general satisfaction and helpfulness of the intervention for improving diabetes care. Intervention participation rates were also high, with 87% completing all three sessions. Thematic analyses suggests that adolescents found the intervention helpful for changing their diabetes management behaviors, their thoughts about the importance of diabetes care, reminding them to complete care, feeling empowered about diabetes management feeling supported by family. Conclusion: Adolescents found The 3 Ms computer-delivered intervention to be helpful in improving diabetes care and completed a high percentage of sessions. The delivery of motivation-building interventions that do not require a highly trained human interventionist during routine diabetes clinic visits has the potential to improve adolescent health at reduced costs-savings.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported in part by grants from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to Deborah Ellis, Ph.D (1 R21 DK 089238-01A1). Thank you to Deborah Ellis, Dana May and April Carcone for their guidance and assistance.