Take part in our Type 2 diabetes research study using online CBT

We are looking for participants to take part in our research study to test whether a course of online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help support you in managing your diabetes more effectively and provide a better quality of life.

To take part, you must have type 2 diabetes:

With a diagnosis for at least 12 months
Experiencing low mood or worry
Aged 18 and over

This research is conducted with support from Roche Diabetes Care Limited.

What the research study is testing

We want to test whether a course of online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you adjust emotionally to your diagnosis and support you in managing your diabetes overall.

Feelings of being low in mood or worry can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to manage their diabetes. Addressing these feelings with therapy can improve a person’s physical and emotional wellbeing.

CBT is traditionally delivered face-to-face, and there is currently a lack of provision. New ways of providing therapy are required. This study will help us understand whether online CBT is equally as effective as face-to-face CBT when supporting people with Type 2 diabetes.

How online CBT can improve your mood and overcome your worries

Challenge the way you think

Your CBT therapist will work with you to ‘formulate’ the vicious cycle you are experiencing when it comes to worrisome thoughts and low mood. You'll map out how your thoughts, feelings and behaviours are all connected, and how your current way of thinking and what you are doing might be keeping your worrying and low mood going.

Break the cycle

You and the therapist will work together on breaking the cycle.This could involve doing experiments at home in between sessions to test out the beliefs you have by doing something differently. These experiments really challenge your beliefs, help look at situations differently and develop better coping skills.

Feel better

Throughout your treatment, you'll continue to practice behavioural experiments, which you'll then talk through your experiences with your therapist the next week. By changing your beliefs and your behaviour, you can change the way you feel. Seeing changes in your beliefs will help build your confidence in managing worry and low mood and develop new habits that last.

Sign-up to take part in our research study

Sign-up

Check you're suitable and sign-up

Read the patient information sheet and sign-up to take part in the trial.

Complete questionnaires and get matched to a therapist

There are 6 short tick-box questionnaires which shouldn't take you long to complete, and there is one slightly longer self-assessment questionnaire which you'll only complete once. You can write as much or as little as you want in this one. We use the questionnaires to treat you safely and check your treatment is working along the way. Once we have these, you'll quickly be introduced to your therapist to get started.

Start therapy

Your therapist will work closely with you at weekly online sessions to help you change your thought patterns, practice new ways of thinking, and form new habits that will last.

What's involved in the research trial?

How does online therapy work?

Online CBT is exactly the same as face-to-face CBT, other than that the conversation is typed on your computer. You’re still in a 1:1 conversation with a fully qualified therapist. The only difference is that you type your responses. It’s exactly like chatting via a messenger service with friends. You don't need to be brilliant at spelling or worry about using the correct grammar.
Where does the trial take place?

As treatment is delivered online, you can take part in the study from home on a day and time that suits you.
How flexible are the appointments?

Our appointments are flexible to work around you. You can book to chat to your therapist after work in the evening or even at weekends. We have appointments available everyday from 6am through to 11pm.
How long does the trial last?

The trial consists of up to 10 CBT sessions lasting up to 60 minutes each. The course of online CBT will be delivered over a period of approximately 12 weeks.
What happens in between my appointments?

There will be some additional contact from your therapist in between sessions and homework, which your therapist will review with you during your next appointment. Homework is an essential part of CBT; it will consist of small tasks to support the work you do with your therapist during your appointments.
Will I get paid to take part in the research trial?

This is an unpaid study, but as part of your treatment, you will receive a free course of online CBT consisting of up to 10 sessions.
Who can I speak to if I have further questions?

If you have any questions about this study, you can contact the Chief Investigator of this study Sarah Bateup, or our UK Clinical Director at Ieso Digital Health, Shazna Khanom at cbt4diabetes@iesohealth.com or by calling 01223 608760.
Can I opt-out of the trial if I change my mind?

You are free to decide whether or not to take part in this study and if you decide to participate you may change your mind at any time.

Download this resource

Download our Patient Information Sheet

The Patient Information Sheet includes all the information you need to know about the study inlcuding how your data will be collected and used, what we are hoping to achieve with the study and where you can go if you have any questions or concerns at any point during the study.