HypoPAST a world-first online psycho-educational program to reduce hypoglycaemia-related anxiety

People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) need insulin for survival but a common side effect is low blood glucose (known as hypoglycaemia or ‘hypo’). If undetected and untreated, hypos can cause confusion, injury, reduced quality of life, coma, and, tragically, though rarely, sudden death.

Unsurprisingly, living with the risk of hypos impairs emotional and mental health: 75% of people with T1D have mild hypo-related anxiety; 25% experience severe diabetes distress; and 26% meet diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder. Hypo-related anxiety affects how people cope with the risk of hypos. For example, some people skip insulin doses or maintain their glucose above recommended targets. Over time, these coping strategies increase their risk for devastating long-term complications.

The ACBRD has received funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) initiative. With this support, the ACBRD¹ will examine the effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness, of “HypoPAST”. We will examine its impact on hypo-related anxiety, hypo episodes, and the broader mental health of adults with T1D.

“HypoPAST” stands for “Hypoglycaemia Prevention, Awareness of Symptoms, and Treatment”. It is a fully online psycho-educational program designed to reduce hypoglycaemia-related anxiety through improved prevention and management of hypoglycaemia.

This two-year project, led by Prof Jane Speight, will generate robust evidence to inform clinical and commercial implementation of HypoPAST into a sustainable program to have immediate and lasting positive impacts on the mental health of adults with T1D.

HypoPAST was awarded funding through the Australian Government’s TTRA program² announced by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Hon. Mark Butler MP, on 21 October 2022.

The HypoPAST project also receives in-kind support from Deakin University, our industry partners (Diabetes Australia, Diabetes Victoria, Australian Diabetes Educators Association, and Australian Diabetes Society) and our collaborative academic partners (LaTrobe University, Monash University, and Newcastle University (UK).

For further information about this project, please e-mail: info@acbrd.org.au

1. The Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes is a partnership for better health between Diabetes Victoria and Deakin University. It sits within the School of Psychology and the Deakin Institute for Health Transformation.
2. The TTRA program is a $47 million Medical Research Future Fund initiative that provides up to $750,000 in Research Project funding to nurture innovative preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic and disease management products/solutions. It is delivered by  MTPConnect.