Improving awareness of hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes with targetted tech and education
Official title: Utilizing an RCT Approach to Compare the Efficacy and Sustainability of Technological and Psycho-Educational Interventions to Improve Impaired Awareness of Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes.
Funded at University of Sheffield · NIH-11322615 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests two treatments to help adults with type 1 diabetes who frequently misread signs of low blood sugar, using technology and education over 12 months with follow-up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Sheffield NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Sheffield, United Kingdom) |
| Project start | September 25, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $77,134 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DK135119-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11322615 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with type 1 diabetes and impaired awareness of hypoglycemia, including those who are or are not using hybrid closed-loop systems.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without impaired awareness or those who cannot participate in follow-up or the interventions may derive little to no benefit.
What this research studies
People with type 1 diabetes who don’t recognize hypoglycemia well will be enrolled in two parallel trials. One compares a hybrid closed-loop insulin system with a structured blood glucose awareness education program, while the other tests a different education-based approach against ongoing care for those whose awareness remains impaired. Each trial runs for 12 months with a preliminary run-in period and follows participants for up to two years to see how well the interventions restore normal body responses and practical awareness of low blood sugar. The study is multi-center and unblinded, with random assignment to treatment arms and staged crossover for some participants after 6 months. Outcomes include clinical awareness, safety, and physiological responses during controlled low-blood-sugar situations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants and future patients could experience better recognition of hypoglycemia and fewer dangerous lows.
How similar studies have gone: Previous approaches have shown reductions in hypoglycemia and some restoration of awareness, but responses vary among individuals.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Sheffield
Sheffield, United Kingdom Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heller, Simon Richard — University of Sheffield
- Study coordinator: Heller, Simon Richard
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Technological and Educational Approaches to Restore Hypoglycemia Awareness in Type 1 Diabetes
A two-arm study in adults with type 1 diabetes tests whether high-tech glucose control plus education or targeted training can help people regain awareness of low blood sugar.
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Techniques for restoring awareness of low blood sugar in adults with type 1 diabetes
A randomized trial compares different approaches to help adults with type 1 diabetes recognize when their blood sugar is dipping so they can act quickly.
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Treating impaired hypoglycemia awareness in type 1 diabetes with targeted education and technology
This study tests two treatment approaches to help adults with type 1 diabetes who often don’t realize their blood sugar is getting too low, using a mix of technology and education in two large groups.
-
Helping people with type 1 diabetes regain awareness of dangerous lows
A UK study tests two different approaches to help adults with type 1 diabetes recognize and respond to low blood sugar by comparing a high-tech insulin system with targeted education.
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Understanding how hypoglycemia awareness changes in adults with type 1 diabetes and how automated insulin delivery and exercise might help restore it
This study will look at adults with type 1 diabetes to see how their awareness of low blood sugar evolves over time and whether automated insulin delivery and high-intensity exercise can help restore that awareness.
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Understanding how impaired hypoglycemia awareness develops in type 1 diabetes and how automated insulin delivery and exercise might help restore it
This study looks at adults with type 1 diabetes who struggle to sense hypoglycemia and tests whether automated insulin delivery and exercise can help restore their awareness.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.