Take part in Type 1 Diabetes research studies

18-70 years old who can travel to Cardiff

Does timing matter for therapies to prevent beta cell destruction? – Dr James Pearson’s Root Causes Programme Grant project

Evidence has shown that immune cells in our body have different abilities throughout the day. This research study is looking to understand these changes and identify when best to target the immune cells so that the success of any future therapies can be improved.

• Looking for individuals aged 18-70 living with type 1 diabetes who can attend the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
• Involves giving two blood samples, one in the morning between 7-9am and another 10-14 hours later, at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. Eligible participants who successfully donate both samples will be provided with a £300 voucher from Love2shop.

To get involved in this study, please contact the research nurses for further information: Shinto Jose (joses8@cardiff.ac.uk) and Alex Howell (howella4@cardiff.ac.uk).

18-50 years old and can travel to Ulster*

Glucose lowering actions of hormone Alpha-MSH

You could help researchers investigate if and how alpha-MSH (a natural hormone) can reduce blood sugar levels. Which could potentially lead to new treatments for type 1 diabetes.

• Looking for individuals aged 18-50 years old, living with or without type 1 diabetes, who are able to attend the Human Interventions Studies Unit, at Ulster University (Coleraine Campus) – Ireland
• To take part in one of three studies:
  • Study 1 – Two 4-hour visits, receiving alpha-MSH or placebo and blood samples taken (receive £100)
  • Study 2 – Two 4-hour visits, receiving alpha-MSH or placebo, blood samples taken and two small muscle biopsies (receive £200)
  • Study 3 – One 45-minute visit, having one muscle biopsy (receive £100)

For more information, and to get involved please visit the study webpage.

Women over 18 years old and over 12 weeks pregnant*

Lived experience of pregnancy and early motherhood of individuals living with and without T1D

You could help researchers better understand the experiences and expectations of pregnancy, childbirth and navigating T1D.

• Looking for women over the age of 18 (living with or without T1D) based in the UK
• To take part in:
  • Living with T1D – A short survey, attend a brief online one-to-one meeting and keep an online diary over a four-week period. Participants will receive a £20 supermarket voucher for their time. More information.
  • Living without T1D – A 20-30 minute survey about your experiences and expectations of pregnancy and childbirth. More information.

To find out more or get involved, please follow the link above for the study that suits you.

Women over 18 years old who have given birth in the last 18 months

Lived experience of T1D in pregnancy and early motherhood

You could help researchers better understand the experiences and expectations of pregnancy, childbirth and navigating T1D.

• Looking for women over 18 years old, living with T1D who have given birth in the last 18 months and are based in the UK.
• To take part in an online one-to-one meeting, take photos that capture your experiences of being a new mother living with T1D over a two-week period and attend a follow-up interview to discuss your photographs. Participants will receive a £20 supermarket voucher for their time.

To find out more or get involved, please visit the study website.

Women with experience of peri/menopause

Experiences of perimenopause and menopause in women with diabetes

Could you help researchers understand if/how diabetes changes peri/menopause affects diabetes, and if/how diabetes affects the peri/menopause? This will allow the researchers to identify examples of good clinical practice and gaps in health services.

• Looking for women living in the UK diagnosed with T1D (and T2D) who are currently experiencing or have experienced peri/menopause.
• To take part in online focus groups to talk about your experience.

To get involved visit the study webpage.

18-66 years old who don’t regularly exercise

How regular activity can affect type 1 diabetes (EXTOD-Active)

Could you help researchers see if taking short active breaks can improve glucose management and wellbeing in people with type 1 diabetes who spend most of their day sitting down?

• Looking for individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (for at least 3 years) aged 18-66 years, who spend most of their day sitting down and don’t regularly exercise.
• To take part in a 1-month intervention where researchers will help you to take regular short (3-minute) walks to break up sitting time. You will also receive a health check in your own home before and after the intervention as well as a £75 voucher for your participation.

Please email extod.active@gmail.com for more information or to sign up.

Over 18 years old with experience of diabetes-related distress

Online application to improve well-being in people living with T1D (MyDiaMate)

Researchers have designed an online application to help individuals living with and managing T1D, as it can impact your mental wellbeing. You can help them improve the application by taking part in this trial.

• Looking for individuals over 18 years old, who have been diagnosed with T1D for at least 6 months, have access to the internet and have experience of diabetes-related distress.
• To take part in a trial of the MyDiaMate online self-help programme.

For more information and how to participate please email: myremedy@kcl.ac.uk.

18-30 years old

Understanding psychological well-being in young adults living with T1D

Could you help researchers better understand the psychological well-being of young adults living with T1D? This research could inform future support strategies.

• Looking for individuals aged 18-30 years old, living in the UK with a diagnosis of T1D.
• To complete an online survey (approximately 10 minutes).

To find out more or take part, go to the survey page.

Over 18 years old with experience of an eating disorder

What would you say to your T1D and disordered eating?

Could you help researchers better understand the intricate relationship between identity, type 1 diabetes and eating disorders?

• Looking for individuals aged 18 and over living with type 1 diabetes and currently living with or have lived with an eating disorder (both diagnosed and undiagnosed).
• To complete a short online survey and write a letter to both your diabetes and your eating disorder.

Please follow this link for more information.

11-21 years old who have access to an android device

Augmented reality card game for young people’s diabetes management

You, or your child, could help researchers see if an augmented reality card game could help with self-management of diabetes in young people!

• Looking for young people aged 11-21 with a diagnosis of diabetes and access to an android device. Children under 16 must have parental consent.
• To play for 45 minutes a day for 14 days and 3 incorporated questionnaires.

To express your, or your child’s, interest in this study, please fill out the Expression of Interest form.

12-25 years old

Learning more about T1D and food management

You could help researchers learn from different experiences of T1D and food management and understand how best to tailor support.

• Looking for individuals living with T1D between 12-25 years old, who have been diagnosed for over a year and live in England and Wales. Individuals under 16 require parental consent.
• To take part in an interview (approximately 60 minutes) talking through experience of living with T1D, mealtimes and insulin management. Taking part enters you in a prize draw for a £50 Amazon voucher.

Email karen.rigby@bristol.ac.uk for more information and how to get involved.

11-19 years old and use a CGM

How do young people feel about their glucose monitoring technology?

Could you help researchers understand children and young people’s experience of diabetes technology and how this impacts their eating habits?

• Looking for individuals aged 11-19 with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes who has used a glucose monitoring sensor (CGM) for at least a year. Children 11-16 must have parental consent.
• To take part in a 20 minute online survey, with optional follow up 1 hour research task. Parents are welcome to join this if preferred.

If you, or your child, are interested, please fill out the survey.

Healthcare professionals and individuals living with diabetes

Digital devices in healthcare

You could help researchers understand and examine the implementation of digital devices in healthcare.

• Looking for individuals living with diabetes and healthcare professionals working in diabetes care.
• To complete a survey and an interview with semi-structured questions.

Let us know you want to take part by filling out our Expression of Interest form.

Contact us

Any questions, please email researchcommunications@breakthroughT1D.org.uk.