Case study: Feasibility of multisystemic therapy as a treatment for urban adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes

Objective To determine the feasibility of using multisystemic therapy (MST), an intensive, home-based psychotherapy, to improve poor metabolic control among four adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Method A multiple baseline, repeated measures design was used. Blood glucose readings were obtained every 2 weeks during a baseline period, a 7-month intervention, and a month-long postintervention period. Glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) was measured at baseline and follow-up and was contrasted between two participants who received MST and two participants who did not receive the intervention. Results Intervention participants showed improvements in health status, as well as fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Conclusions Findings from this case study suggest that MST has the potential to improve treatment adherence and metabolic control among teens with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes.