Understanding how hypoglycemia awareness changes in adults with type 1 diabetes and how automated insulin delivery and exercise might help restore it
Official title: Characterizing the evolution of impaired hypoglycemia awareness in people with type 1 diabetes and the impact of automated insulin delivery and exercise on restoring hypoglycemia awareness
Funded at University of Melbourne · NIH-11582458 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Melbourne NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Melbourne, Australia) |
| Project start | September 25, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $377,631 |
| NIH project number | 3U01DK135122-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11582458 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with type 1 diabetes who have impaired hypoglycemia awareness and are willing to use automated insulin delivery and engage in exercise interventions.
✕Less likely to help
People without type 1 diabetes or those not experiencing impaired hypoglycemia awareness are unlikely to benefit from this specific study.
What this research studies
People with type 1 diabetes often lose the ability to recognize when their blood sugar is falling, which increases the risk of dangerous lows. The project will follow adults over several years to understand how this awareness changes and to test if new insulin-pump technology and regular high-intensity interval exercise can improve their ability to notice low blood sugar. Participants may use automated insulin delivery systems and participate in supervised exercise sessions as part of the trial. The findings could guide personalized treatment strategies to prevent severe hypoglycemia and improve safety. This work builds on prior observations that education and technology alone have not fully restored awareness in many individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to better ways to prevent dangerous hypoglycemia by restoring warning signs and improving safety for people with type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small studies with education and CGM/AID technologies have shown limited, but promising, improvements in awareness over short periods.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'neal, David Norman — University of Melbourne
- Study coordinator: O'neal, David Norman
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.
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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 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.
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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.