The effects of anxiety management training on the control of juvenile diabetes mellitus.

The present study was designed to determine whether diabetic control could be improved through the direct psychological management of stress and anxiety. Five poorly controlled female adolescent diabetics ranging in age from 15 to 18 years were used as subjects. All were seen on an outpatient basis over a 6-month period. A single-subject format employing a multiple-baseline design across subjects was used. The independent variable used was a technique known as anxiety management training. Baseline, attention-control, and treatment data were collected on a number of dependent measures. Subjective estimates of anxiety and tension by each subject were gathered on a biweekly basis using the Multifactorial Scale of Anxiety. Diabetic control was assessed daily using the Diastix method and weekly using the 24-hr quantitative glucose method. Data on the five subjects suggested that improved control of stress and anxiety had a positive effect on diabetic regulation. Lower and more stable urine glucose levels using both urine testing methods were found. However, no decreases in the subjects' personal assessment of tension and anxiety were evident.