ONBOARD: A Feasibility Study of a Telehealth-Based Continuous Glucose Monitoring Adoption Intervention for Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Background:

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can improve glycemic control for adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) but certain barriers interfere with consistent use including cost, data overload, alarm fatigue, physical discomfort, and unwanted social attention. This pilot study aimed to examine feasibility and acceptability of a behavioral intervention, ONBOARD (Overcoming Barriers and Obstacles to Adopting Diabetes Devices) to support adults with T1D in optimizing CGM use.

Methods:

Adults (18–50 years) with T1D in their first year of CGM use were invited to participate in a tailored, multicomponent telehealth-based intervention delivered over four 60-min sessions every 2–3 weeks. Participants completed surveys (demographics; diabetes distress, Diabetes Distress Scale for adults with type 1 diabetes; satisfaction with program) and provided CGM data at baseline and postintervention (3 months). Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.

Results:

Twenty-two participants (age = 30.95 ± 8.32 years; 59% women; 91% non-Hispanic; 86% White, 5% Black, 9% other; 73% pump users) completed the study. ONBOARD demonstrated acceptability and a high rate of retention. Moderate effect sizes were found for reductions in diabetes distress (P = 0.01, r = −0.37) and increases in daytime spent in target range (70–180 mg/dL: P = 0.03, r = −0.35). There were no significant increases in hypoglycemia.

Conclusions:

Findings show preliminary evidence of feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of ONBOARD for supporting adults with T1D in optimizing CGM use while alleviating diabetes distress. Further research is needed to examine ONBOARD in a larger sample over a longer period.