Date of Award

12-2005

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Amy E. Naugle

Second Advisor

Dr. Scott Gaynor

Third Advisor

Dr. Linda A. LeBlanc

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Helen D. Pratt

Abstract

A series of single-subject designs (AB, ABAB) were used to assess the effects of an antecedent prompting procedure (i.e., prompts) on blood glucose monitoring in young individuals diagnosed with type I diabetes. Prompts were delivered through portable, automated paging technology. Frequency of blood glucose checks was obtained across meter, baseline, and intervention phases. Metabolic control was assessed by obtaining blood glucose levels for each check across baseline and intervention phases, and hemoglobin (HbA1c) values at study entry and follow-up. Results indicated that the prompt increased blood glucose monitoring for three participants, and metabolic control improved for 2 participants when the prompts were used. Results also indicated that telephone contacts used in this study led to modest improvements in blood glucose monitoring, which may have attenuated the intervention effects for 2 participants. Efforts to gradually reduce the frequency of prompts while maintaining adequate rates of blood glucose monitoring were partially successful for 1 participant. Findings from this study suggest that prompts delivered through automated paging technology has the potential to improve blood glucose monitoring and metabolic control in the short-term among young individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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