Treating impaired hypoglycemia awareness in type 1 diabetes with targeted education and technology
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-11603068 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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) | $3,050 |
| NIH project number | 3U01DK135119-04S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11603068 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with type 1 diabetes and impaired awareness of hypoglycemia who meet trial criteria and are able to participate in a multi-center randomized study.
✕Less likely to help
People without impaired hypoglycemia awareness or those unable to participate in follow-up assessments may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at multiple centers in the UK will run two parallel randomized trials over 12 months (plus longer follow-up) to see which approach best restores awareness of hypoglycemia in adults with type 1 diabetes. One trial compares a hybrid closed-loop insulin system with blood glucose awareness training, while the other compares two education/behavior programs for those whose awareness remains impaired despite prior tech use. Participants will be assigned to their treatment arms, then followed for up to 24 months to evaluate physiological and clinical responses to hypoglycemia. The study aims to identify which combination of strategies best reverses impaired awareness and reduces risk of severe lows.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could regain better recognition of low blood sugar and reduce dangerous hypoglycemic events.
How similar studies have gone: Previous approaches with technology and education have shown benefits, but responses vary, making this a novel comparison of strategies.
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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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.
-
Improving awareness of hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes with targetted tech and education
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.
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.