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Project title: HypoPAST: Online psycho-educational training for 'Hypoglycaemia Prevention, Awareness of Symptoms, and Treatment' in adults with type 1 diabetes

People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) need insulin for survival but hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) is a common side effect. If undetected and untreated, hypoglycaemia can cause confusion, injury, reduced quality of life, coma, and, tragically, though rarely, sudden death.

Unsurprisingly, living with the risk of hypoglycaemia impairs mental health: 75 per cent of people with T1D have mild hypoglycaemia-related anxiety; 25 per cent experience severe diabetes distress; 26 per cent meet diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder. Hypoglycaemia-related anxiety drives misguided coping strategies (e.g. skipping insulin or maintaining glucose above target), which increase risk for devastating long-term complications.

Our solution, HypoPAST (Hypoglycaemia Prevention, Awareness of Symptoms, and Treatment), is the first fully online psycho-educational program designed to reduce hypoglycaemia-related anxiety through improved prevention and management of hypoglycaemia. In this randomised controlled trial, we will examine its effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness, in terms of hypoglycaemia-related anxiety, hypoglycaemia episodes, and the broader mental health of adults with T1D.


TTRA Project Round:  Two

State:  Victoria

Project Partners:

  • Diabetes Victoria
  • Diabetes Australia
  • La Trobe University
  • Monash University
  • Newcastle University (UK)
  • Australian Diabetes Educators Association
  • Australian Diabetes Society

Funding:

  • TTRA: $749,764
  • Industry Contribution: $426,567 in-kind

Duration:  October 2022 - September 2024


Website: www.deakin.edu.au | LinkedIn: Deakin University

Twitter: @deakinhealth