# Impact of Integrated Pet Care on Glycemic Control and Diabetes Responsibility

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $349,995

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
There is a critical need to develop innovative strategies in early adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)
that develop self-efficacy and facilitate positive parental involvement. In the absence of accessible interventions,
we can expect adherence to diabetes self-management tasks (like blood glucose monitoring [BGM] and BG
review) to decline and glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]) to deteriorate, as typically seen during
adolescence. The objective of this pilot RCT is to assess the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of
incorporating the structured care of a pet fish into a family-based diabetes self-care routine combined with
communication skills training (Routine+CC) on HbA1c, BGM frequency and BG review in early adolescents with
suboptimal control of T1DM. The rationale for the intervention is based on three established principles: Social
Cognitive Theory, Habit Formation Theory, and Family Systems Theory. Participants in the Routine+CC group
will be given a Betta fish with supplies. Participants will be told to feed their fish in the morning/evening/bedtime
and perform BGM at that time; and perform fish tank maintenance activities once a week in collaboration with
their parent(s) and review their blood glucose (BG) trends with the parent at that time utilizing a collaborative
communication framework. The hypothesis is Routine+CC will have high recruitment, fidelity and retention
rates; and will provide activity-based cues to perform BGM and BG review, a positive competence experience
that enhances self-efficacy in performing diabetes self-care tasks, and an opportunity for positive parental
engagement in the youth’s diabetes care. The hypotheses will be tested by pursuing these specific aims: Aim
1: Conduct a rigorous feasibility and acceptability pilot RCT of (a) Pet Fish + Collaborative Communication
(Routine+CC) (n=20) which combines routine (pairing fish care with family-based diabetes self-care tasks) and
collaborative communication (family will receive training on collaborative communication skills); (b) Pet Fish
(Routine) (n=20) which only has the routine; as compared to (c) Control (n=20) which is usual care. Obtain
quantitative and qualitative feedback on feasibility (recruitment, fidelity, retention) and adolescent/caregiver
acceptability; and Aim 2: Assess the preliminary effects of the Routine+CC intervention on HbA1c, BGM
frequency and adherence to weekly BG review at intervention completion (12 weeks) plus a follow-up period (12
weeks). Examine whether Routine+CC changes the hypothesized target mechanisms (parental involvement,
diabetes self-efficacy, habit strength) based on survey measures. This approach is innovative, because it
proposes a novel approach for youth with TIDM that is resource-efficient and home-based, offers new concepts
in habit-formation research and presents a potential benefit of pet care for children with chronic conditions. The
proposed research is s...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10975537
- **Project number:** 1R01DK138027-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Olga Theresa Gupta
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $349,995
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10975537

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10975537, Impact of Integrated Pet Care on Glycemic Control and Diabetes Responsibility (1R01DK138027-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10975537. Licensed CC0.

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