PI: Karen Chapman-Novakofski
Co-PIs: Darla Castelli, Jane Scherer
Research Objective
The objective of this one-year feasibility study is to determine the applicability and impact of podcasts (web-based audio and video viewed on MP3 players or computers with Internet access) and interactive skill-building web games to promote independence in self-care of adolescents with type II diabetes or at risk for type II diabetes. This intervention will be applicable to schools but also be desirable enough to promote its use outside of school.
Specific Aims
- Develop prototype of video/audio podcast and interactive skill building web games that includes content [diet and exercise] specific for 12-15 year olds with type II diabetes or at risk for type II diabetes.
- Evaluate content and mix of video/audio podcasts and interactive skill building web games for appeal to 12-15 year olds with type II diabetes or at risk for type II diabetes through participatory programming with teen HOT Council.
- Evaluate the impact such educational technology might have on promoting independence in meal planning and physical activity endeavors through a randomized control pilot trial of the technology.
- Evaluate the sustainability of such educational technology by measuring fidelity to treatment.
Sample
Students [12-15 year olds] were recruited to participate in the HOT project from three participating school districts.
Methods
After receiving parental consent and student assent, students were randomized into the control or treatment groups, with a balance of gender. The control group was a web-based meal planning and physical activity class [WB]; the treatment was web-based with podcasts and interactive games focusing on meal planning and physical activity class [PC]. A total of 132 students were needed according to the power analysis. To allow for 25% potential drop-out rate, an additional 33 students were recruited (total 165) with 83 in the control group and 82 in the treatment group.
Each received an MP3 player for participation completion. In addition to the intervention, focus groups were held at the conclusion to gain more insight into sustainability of online education for middle schoolers.
Results
Despite the significant increases in overall content knowledge for both groups, the treatment group showed substantially greater increases in overall and individual modular content knowledge over their control counterparts. Within the treatment group, 72 voluntarily chose to retake evaluations and significantly improved their scores.
Three main themes emerged from the focus group data analysis with subcategories: kid appeal (social, entertainment and information; that reflected why they used the internet, why and what they liked from the HOT project website), healthy living (diet, exercise, sleeping, friendship and studying), and living with and without diabetes (those who had relatives with diabetes or not).
Problems
At school one, we experienced low student turn out due to scheduling difficulties with students. The high school advisory team (HOT Council) was small, and from one school, again because of weather and scheduling difficulties with students.
Changes in Protocol
None