Feasibility and acceptability of the TEAM pilot trial with African American and Latino families

Abstract

Objective

We adapted the empirically supported Family Teamwork intervention protocol to support collaborative parent involvement in type 1 diabetes (T1D) management among African American and Latino parents of children with T1D. This randomized pilot study aimed to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of the Type 1 Diabetes Empowerment and Management (TEAM) intervention.

Methods

African American and Latino parents (n = 59; 65% recruitment rate) of youth (ages 5–10 years, M = 8.9 ± 1.6 years; 59% female, M hemoglobin A1c 9.0% ± 1.9%) with diabetes duration of ≥1 year and who were fluent in English and not planning to leave the geographic area were recruited and randomized 3:1 to the TEAM intervention (n = 44) or usual diabetes care alone (n = 15). The intervention consisted of six group-based sessions co-led by a study interventionist and a trained parent leader, plus five phone calls with the parent leader. Secondary outcomes included psychosocial questionnaires and HbA1c at baseline and 12 months post-baseline.

Results

Participants attended a mean of 2.1 ± 2.0 (33%) TEAM intervention sessions. Acceptability ratings (5-point scale) among parents who completed ≥1 session (n = 28) were high: helpfulness (4.5 ± 0.75), encouraged new perspectives (4.5 ± 0.58), enjoyment (4.4 ± 0.70), learned new information/skills (4.3 ± 0.70), prompted change to diabetes management (4.6 ± 0.69), and positive impact on family (4.5 ± 0.69). Qualitative interviews (n = 35) indicated positive perspectives about emotional and informational support and suggestions for adding child intervention components. Pre-post data completion rates were 92% for questionnaires.

Conclusions

Despite feasibility challenges, the TEAM intervention was acceptable among parents who attended sessions. Reducing barriers to session attendance may be warranted to impact psychosocial and clinical outcomes.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04053504

diabetes, health disparities and inequities, pilot/feasibility trial, race/ethnicity, health equity