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Research project Living with type 1 diabetes

The aims of the project are to describe experiences of living with type 1 diabetes and to evaluate the impact of a stress management program based on Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) tailored for aspects of type 1 diabetes.

Two persons on bikes in the woods. Photo: Manfred Antranias Zimmer from Pixabay.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease that poses strong demands on the individual regarding the complex self-management needed to achieve glycemic control. To constantly problem-solve regarding the correct insulin dose, blood glucose testing, diet and physical activity is by many experienced as difficult and burdensome and only 27 % reach the target for glycemic control. Research shows increased incidence of impaired mental health such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders in people with type 1 diabetes. All these conditions are directly related to impaired self-management and glycemic control.

ACT has evolved from Cognitive behavior therapy and has shown good results for chronic pain and has also been evaluated for type 2 diabetes.

The aims of the project are to describe experiences of living with type 1 diabetes and to evaluate the impact of ACT on glycemic control, mental health, and well-being. A survey on acceptance of thoughts and emotions related to diabetes will also be evaluated.

Project members

Project managers

Susanne Amsberg

Senior Lecturer

Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College

susanne.amsberg@esh.se

Therese Anderbro

Assistant Professor

Department of Psychology

therese.anderbro@psychology.su.se

Unn-Britt Johansson

Professor

Sophiahemmet University

unn-britt.johansson@shh.se

Eva Toft

Associate Professor, Chief Physician

Ersta Hospital and Karolinska Institutet

eva.toft@ki.se

Members

Curt Hagkvist

Professor

Karlstad University and University of Gothenburg

curt.hagquist@kau.se

Fredrik Livheim

PhD, Licensed Psychologist

Karolinska Institutet

fredrik.livheim@ki.se

Ingrid Wijk

PhD Student

Sophiahemmet University

ingrid.wijk@shh.se

Publications

Living with Type 1 Diabetes as Experienced by Adults with Prolonged Elevated HbA1c

Wijk, I., Amsberg, S., Andreassen Gleissman, S., Toft, E., Anderbro, T., & Johansson, U.-B. (2023). Living with Type 1 Diabetes as Experienced by Adults with Prolonged Elevated HbA1c: A Qualitative Study. Diabetes Therapy. Online first, 20 July, 2023.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Swedish Acceptance and Action Diabetes Questionnaire

Wijk, I., Amsberg, S., Johansson, U.-B., Toft, E., Hagquist, C., & Anderbro, T. (2023). Psychometric Evaluation of the Swedish Acceptance and Action Diabetes Questionnaire: A Rasch Analysis. Journal of Nursing Measurement. Early view, August 2023.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for adult type 1 diabetes management

Amsberg, S., Wijk, I., Livheim, F., Toft, E., Johansson, U.B., & Anderbro, T. (2018). Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for adult type 1 diabetes management: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 8(11):e022234.