- Carilion and FBRI are collaborating on a study for type 2 diabetes patients who want tools—not more medications—to help them improve their health.
- The remote 6-month program includes coaching, paid subscriptions and equipment and more—even payment for completing assessments.
- Both men and women may be eligible to participate.
Type 2 diabetes is a serious chronic illness that is on the rise worldwide. In the U.S., more than one in every 10 adults has diabetes—in seniors that figure rises to more than one in four.
While people may generally feel fine in the early stages of the disease, over time it can affect many parts of the body, from organ function to circulation, and can lead to more chronic conditions as well as vision problems and even potential amputations.
Managing diabetes calls for a long-term commitment as well, and researchers on many fronts are studying the ways that human behaviors and habits result in diabetes—and how changing those behaviors can potentially lead patients back to good health.
Local Diabetes Research With a National Reach
Here at Carilion Clinic, our Research in Family and Community Medicine team is collaborating with FBRI’s Jeff Stein, Ph.D. and the University of Buffalo's Leonard Epstein, Ph.D. on a clinical study intended to identify the most effective motivational strategies to help diabetes patients change those behaviors and regain their health.
The study—Healthy Habits for Type 2 Diabetes: Remote Delivery and Outcomes Assessment in Urban and Rural Patients—is a 6-month program designed to empower people to commit to their health by giving them tools and guidance they can actively use—instead of another medication. Highlights of the remote study include:
- A paid membership to the MyNetDiary app, a Bluetooth FitBit and scale and A1C kits
- Dietary lifestyle coaching throughout the program
- Support adopting the Traffic Light Eating Plan, which Dr. Epstein developed
- A planning calendar outlining what study participants can expect along the way
The Traffic Light Eating Plan
Dr. Epstein originally developed the Traffic Light Eating Plan for pediatric patients, but its simple, easy-to-remember approach to eating makes it useful for anyone who wants to maintain more control over their weight.
The plan labels different foods red, yellow, or green depending on their contributions—positive or negative—to health and well-being.
- Red foods are meant to be eaten sparingly.
- Yellow foods are to be eaten in moderation.
- Foods with a green label can be eaten without any limits.
Study participants who already have a dietary regimen that works for them can take a flexible approach to the Traffic Light Eating Plan.
The study provides participants with a searchable food and activity reference guide so they can easily look up different foods, portions and other information.
What Study Participants Can Expect
To begin their participation, volunteers are given the tools they'll use for the 6-month duration of the study (and that they'll get to keep afterward). First they test their A1C with the provided at-home kit. Then over the next four weeks, they will:
- Receive weekly dietary lifestyle coaching with a dietitian-trained case manager.
- Engage in question-and-answer interviews with their case manager.
- Set weekly personalized goals for eating and activities based on their health needs.
In the second month, meetings with case managers will move from weekly to bi-weekly.
Participants' second assessment occurs at the eighth week. This consists of an A1C and weight check and revisions to personalized goals if needed. Case manager meetings will now be every four weeks.
At the end of the 6 months, participants will engage in a final assessment, which includes A1C testing and a weight check.
The benefits continue after participants are done:
- They may receive compensation for completing certain assessments and interviews.
- They can keep the FitBit scale as well as any remaining A1C kits.
- They can use the paid MyNetDiary app account for an additional 6 months before deciding whether to sign up for their own account.
In addition, interested participants are invited to follow up after 36 weeks with a medical student at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine who is supporting the study.
About the Research Team
Jeff Stein, Ph.D. is the study's Primary Investigator. His team leads the research at FBRI in collaboration with Carilion Clinic partners.
John Epling, M.D. is a Carilion Clinic Family Medicine specialist. He helped design the program and is working with with Carilion's Family and Community Medicine team to spread the word to patients who might benefit from participating in the study. Dr. Epling helps the study team monitor for adverse events.
Michelle Rockwell, Ph.D., R.D. has also helped design the program as a clinical research associate with Carilion Clinic. Dr. Rockwell supervises the study's lifestyle coaching, ensuring that participants receive consistent guidance. She also consults when unique circumstances arise, such as ensuring consistency and overall benefit for participants who already follow a formal dietary plan.
University of Buffalo is also a collaborator on the project. They host and maintain the study's website, and UB's Leonard Epstein, Ph.D. created and branded the Traffic Light Eating Plan that participants use during the study. Dr. Epstein has also collaborated with FBRI's Warren Bickel, Ph.D. on this and other research projects.
How To Participate
If you or a loved one are interested in participating in the Healthy Habits for Type 2 Diabetes study, reach out to your primary care physician to learn more. You can also find out more on our clinical trial page and take a quick FBRI/Carilion Clinic survey to see if you are eligible.
