Effectiveness of Non-pharmacological Interventions for Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes in the Last Five Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Purpose

Evidence on non-pharmacological interventions for adolescents with type 1 diabetes is unclear. This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological intervention in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

We conducted a search on databases from November 11 to 19, 2022, for randomized controlled trials for the effects of non-pharmacological intervention in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. To identify recent research trends, we included studies published from 2017 to November 2022. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool 2.0. To estimate the effect size, a meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 program and R Studio.

Results

A total of 45 studies were included in the systematic review. Among those, 30 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Non-pharmacological interventions were significantly effective in improving Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.42, −0.09), quality of life (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.76), and anxiety (SMD = −0.91, 95% CI: −1.26, −0.56). Subgroup analysis showed that duration of intervention was not a covariate related to HbA1c levels.

Conclusions

Non-pharmacological interventions have shown effectiveness in improving the HbA1c, quality of life, and anxiety in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Future studies with more rigorous methodology are needed to confirm and strengthen the validity of these findings. Additionally, attention to changes in the lipid profile and self-care motivation among adolescents with type 1 diabetes is warranted.

Trial registration number

Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022382190).