Evaluating a mental health support mobile app for adults with type 1 diabetes living in rural and remote communities: The REACHOUT pilot study.

Aims: To evaluate a mobile app that delivers mental health support to adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) living in rural and remote communities using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Intervention fidelity, Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework.

Methods: This study recruited 46 adults to participate in a 6-month intervention using REACHOUT, a mobile app that delivers peer-led mental health support (one-on-one, group-based texting and face-to-face virtual). Baseline and 6-month assessments measured diabetes distress (DD), depressive symptoms and perceived support (from family/friends, health care team and peers) along with other RE-AIM metrics.

Impact of Digitally Enabled Peer Support Interventions on Diabetes Distress and Depressive Symptoms in People Living with Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review.

Purpose Of Review: To explore the impact of digitally-enabled peer support interventions on diabetes distress and depression for individuals living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).

Recent Findings: We synthesized the results of nine key studies from a review of 3,623 English-language articles published between January 2012 and January 2024. Three studies demonstrated significant reductions in diabetes distress, and two studies reported reductions in depression.

Evaluating a Digitally Delivered, Multi-Modal Intervention for Parents of Children with Type 1 Diabetes: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

We examined the feasibility, acceptability, and potential mental health impact of a digital peer support intervention involving videoconferencing and text-based support for parents of school-aged children living with T1D and analyzed posts exchanged by parents on a texting platform. Eighteen parents were recruited for Huddle4Parents, a 4-month digital intervention that involved four synchronous group-based Zoom sessions coupled with an asynchronous 24/7 peer support texting room. Primary outcomes were feasibility (i.

Insights into Chinese Canadian culture: enablers and barriers for fruit and vegetable intake.

Background: Fruits and vegetables (F&V) play a vital role in promoting health and preventing diseases. Numerous studies have demonstrated the association between F&V consumption and reduced risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality. Despite the high priority of public health in promoting F&V intake, Chinese immigrants in Canada often fall below national guidelines in their consumption.

Training peers to deliver mental health support to adults with type 1 diabetes using the REACHOUT mobile app.

Aims: While peer support research is growing in the Type 1 diabetes (T1D) community, the peer supporter training (PST) process is rarely documented in detail. This study provides a comprehensive description of PST and evaluation for the REACHOUT mental health support intervention, and examines the feasibility and perceived utility of PST.

Methods: Fifty-three adults with T1D were recruited to participate in a 6-hour, zoom-based PST program for mental health support.

Testing 3 Digital Health Platforms to Improve Mental Health Outcomes in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot Trial.

Objective: Our aim in this study was to examine the potential impact of a 3-pronged digital health pilot intervention (TRIFECTA) on diabetes distress and depressive symptoms among adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in British Columbia.

Methods: We recruited 60 adults with T1D (mean age 38.9±15.

Systematic review of technology-mediated peer support interventions in paediatric type 1 diabetes care.

Aims: There is increasing interest in the role of peer support in diabetes care. However, technology-mediated peer support in paediatric type 1 diabetes remains understudied.We aimed todescribe technology-mediated peer support interventions for children living with type 1 diabetes, their caregivers and healthcare providers.

Using Human-Centered Design and Cocreation to Create the Live 5-2-1-0 Mobile App to Promote Healthy Behaviors in Children: App Design and Development.

Background: The prevalence of obesity among Canadian children is rising, partly because of increasingly obesogenic environments that limit opportunities for physical activity and healthy nutrition. Live 5-2-1-0 is a community-based multisectoral childhood obesity prevention initiative that engages stakeholders to promote and support the message of consuming ≥5 servings of vegetables and fruits, having <2 hours of recreational screen time, participating in ≥1 hour of active play, and consuming 0 sugary drinks every day. A Live 5-2-1-0 Toolkit for health care providers (HCPs) was previously developed and piloted in 2 pediatric clinics at British Columbia Children's Hospital.

Disruptions in Lifestyle Habits and Access to Social Support in the Time of COVID-19: Associations With Diabetes Distress and Depression Among Adults With Type 1 Diabetes Living in British Columbia.

Objectives: In this study, we examined rates of diabetes distress and depressive symptoms in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) during the COVID-19 lockdown and its association with disruptions in lifestyle habits and access to social support.

Methods: This cross-sectional investigation included a convenience sample of 60 adults with T1D who completed a survey assessing diabetes distress (Type 1 Diabetes Distress Scale), depressive symptoms (Personal Health Questionnaire-9), and disruptions in lifestyle habits (sleep patterns, dietary patterns, exercise routine) and access to support from family/friends. Linear regression analyses examined COVID-19 disruption variables as predictors of diabetes distress and depressive severity.

Diabetes distress mediates the relationship between depressive symptoms and glycaemic control among adults with type 2 diabetes: Findings from a multi-site diabetes peer support intervention.

Aims: Diabetes distress is positively associated with HbA and may mediate the relationship between depressive symptoms and HbA . This study examined these relationships in a geographically, socioeconomically, and ethnically diverse sample of adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Using data from five US sites evaluating peer support for diabetes management (n = 917), Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) examined whether diabetes distress (four items from Diabetes Distress Scale) mediated the relationship between depressive symptoms (PHQ-8) and HbA .

Autopsy of a telephone-based peer support intervention: Exploring participants' perspectives of and experiences with a self-management support model for adults with type 2 diabetes from speciality care settings.

Aims: To explore participants' experiences with and perspective of a telephone-based, peer-led diabetes self-management intervention targeting adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) from speciality care settings. We also sought to identify areas for improvement for future iterations of the intervention.

Methods: This study recruited 25 adults with T2D from the intervention arm of a randomized controlled trial of a peer support intervention for diabetes.

From clinic to community: A randomized controlled trial of a peer support model for adults with type 2 diabetes from specialty care settings in British Columbia.

Aims: To examine the impact of a 12-month peer-led diabetes self-management support intervention delivered via telephone amongst adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) from specialty care settings in British Columbia (BC).

Methods: One-hundred ninety-six adults with T2D were randomly assigned to either a 12-month Peer-Led, Empowerment-based, Approach, to Self-management Efforts in Diabetes (PLEASED) intervention or a usual care condition. PLEASED involved weekly telephone contacts from a peer leader (PL) in the first 3 months followed by bi-weekly telephone contacts in the last 9 months.

'We just don't have this in us…': Understanding factors behind low levels of physical activity in South Asian immigrants in Metro-Vancouver, Canada.

Background: South Asian immigrants in western countries are at a high risk for metabolic syndrome and associated chronic disease. While a physically active lifestyle is crucial in decreasing this risk, physical activity (PA) levels among this group remain low. The objectives of this study were to explore social and cultural factors that influence PA behavior, investigate how immigration process intersects with PA behaviors to influence PA levels and to engage community in a discussion about what can be done to increase PA in the South Asian community.

Efficacy of a Commercial Weight Management Program Compared With a Do-It-Yourself Approach: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Given the prevalence of obesity, accessible and effective treatment options are needed to manage obesity and its comorbid conditions. Commercial weight management programs are a potential solution to the lack of available treatment, providing greater access at lower cost than clinic-based approaches, but few commercial programs have been rigorously evaluated.

Objective: To compare the differences in weight change between individuals randomly assigned to a commercial weight management program and those randomly assigned to a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach.

Predictors and Effects of Participation in Peer Support: A Prospective Structural Equation Modeling Analysis.

Background: Peer support provides varied health benefits, but how it achieves these benefits is not well understood.

Purpose: Examine a) predictors of participation in peer support interventions for diabetes management, and b) relationship between participation and glycemic control.

Methods: Seven peer support interventions funded through Peers for Progress provided pre/post data on 1,746 participants' glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c), contacts with peer supporters as an indicator of participation, health literacy, availability/satisfaction with support for diabetes management from family and clinical team, quality of life (EQ-Index), diabetes distress, depression (PHQ-8), BMI, gender, age, education, and years with diabetes.

"Tis Better to Give Than to Receive?" Health-related Benefits of Delivering Peer Support in Type 2 Diabetes: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed-methods Study.

Objectives: Existing peer support literature in diabetes has focussed predominantly on the health impact it has on the beneficiaries rather than the benefactors. In this mixed-methods study, we examined the effect of delivering peer support (vs receiving) on glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and diabetes distress (DD) at 3 and 12 months as part of a larger diabetes self-management support randomized controlled trial. Maintenance or improvement of outcomes was expected.

Social support and diabetes distress: Does the messenger matter as much as the message?

We explored the relationship between social support (family/friends and health care team) and four diabetes distress subscales in 196 adults with type 2 diabetes in a specialty care setting. Health care support was associated with lower physician- and regimen-related distress, while friends/family support was related to lower interpersonal distress. The study was registered on clinicaltrials.

Participant-Directed Intervention Tailoring Is Associated With Improvements in Glycemic Control for South Asian Adults With Type 2 Diabetes.

Objectives: Our aim was to determine the impact of a 3-month diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/DSMS) intervention involving both professional and peer support on glycemic control and diabetes distress in South Asian adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) living in Metro Vancouver.

Methods: We recruited 114 South Asian adults with T2D for a study conducted across 7 sites in Metro Vancouver. A previous DSME/DSMS intervention was modified using participant feedback.

Device-worn measures of sedentary time and physical activity in South Asian adults at high risk for type 2 diabetes in Metro-Vancouver, Canada.

Background: South Asians have high incidence of chronic disease. Physical activity (PA) and sedentary time are modifiable risk factors for chronic disease but their assessment in South Asians has been primarily based on self-report. This study presents directly-measured PA and sedentary time in South Asian adults in Canada.

Profiling "Success": Demographic and Personality Predictors of Effective Peer Leaders in a Diabetes Self-management Intervention.

Background: The sociodemographic and personality profiles of effective peer leaders in the context of diabetes self-management interventions are poorly understood. In this study, we explored the demographic and personality characteristics of peer leaders participating in a 12-month, telephone-based type 2 diabetes self-management intervention.

Methods: We used a sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design and recruited 52 peer leaders.

Out of the mouths of Peer Leaders: Perspectives on how to improve a telephone-based peer support intervention in type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To explore the experiences of peer leaders with respect to delivering core components of a 12-month, telephone-based peer support intervention in type 2 diabetes within a tertiary-care setting.

Methods: Seventeen peer leaders were recruited and interviewed. Interviews lasted approximately 20 to 45 min, were audio-taped, and transcribed verbatim.

Undiagnosed Hypertension in Vancouver's Punjabi Sikh Community: A Cross-Sectional Study.

South Asians bear a greater burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to other ethnic groups and hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor. The purpose of this study was to examine rates and predictors of uncontrolled blood pressure among an immigrant Punjabi Sikh community in Vancouver. We recruited 350 adults (40% women; mean age 67.

Effectiveness of Mobile Apps in Promoting Healthy Behavior Changes and Preventing Obesity in Children: Systematic Review.

Background: Mobile apps have been increasingly incorporated into healthy behavior promotion interventions targeting childhood obesity. However, their effectiveness remains unclear.

Objective: This paper aims to conduct a systematic review examining the effectiveness of mobile apps aimed at preventing childhood obesity by promoting health behavior changes in diet, physical activity, or sedentary behavior in children aged 8 to 12 years.