856-P: Can Monetary-Based Reinforcement for Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG) Impact Psychosocial Outcomes? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Members of our group previously reported that monetary reinforcement of SMBG related behaviors shows robust increases in frequency of SMBG and modest decreases in A1c among youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In these secondary data analyses, we explored effects on psychosocial functioning. Methods: Sixty youth ages 12-21 (Mage=15.58, SD=2.31) with T1D, A1c 7.5-13%, and <4 BG checks per day were randomized to either a 24-week reinforce intervention or enhanced usual care (EUC). The intervention consisted of monetary incentives for completing blood glucose checks, texts with provider, glucose data uploads, and glucose pattern recognition forms. Validated psychosocial questionnaires were administered at baseline, 6, 12, 24, and 36 weeks. Measures included youth reported diabetes distress, family conflict, and negative affective responses to out-of-range glucose results. Results: Generalized linear models showed no significant time x condition effects. In t-tests at discrete follow-ups, compared to the control group, the reinforce group had significantly lower youth-reported diabetes related family conflict at 12 weeks (22.39 vs. 25.11, p=.043) and significantly higher negative affective responses to out-of-range glucose results at 24 weeks (13.62 vs. 11.71, p=.047). Conclusion: Monetary reinforcers targeting SMBG behaviors may produce transitory decreases in youth perceptions of family conflict and transitory iatrogenic increases in youth’s negative affective responses to out-of-range glucose results. The timing of changes in family conflict, negative affect, and previously reported changes in A1c suggest that psychosocial changes may reflect youth responses to A1c as well as to reinforcers per se. For broader effects, the intervention could include psychosocial components that seek to directly maintain decreased family conflict and mitigate negative affect related to increased awareness of glucose control. Disclosure J.J. Wong: None. A. Addala: None. K.K. Hood: Consultant; Self; Lilly Diabetes. Research Support; Self; Dexcom, Inc. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute. J. Wagner: None. E. Cengiz: Advisory Panel; Self; Abvance, ADOCIA, MannKind Corporation, Novo Nordisk Inc. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc. E.M. Tichy: None. K. Weyman: None. D. Naranjo: Advisory Panel; Spouse/Partner; Eli Lilly and Company. Speaker's Bureau; Spouse/Partner; Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute. Other Relationship; Self; Abbott. Funding National Institutes of Health