Insulin injection devices improve cognitive burden of diabetes self-management

More than 70 per cent of people living with diabetes believe that advanced insulin delivery systems are ‘very useful’ in helping them manage their condition, latest research indicates.

A team of scientists have found that the cognitive burden associated with self-management of diabetes therapy may influence preferences for insulin injection devices.

New insulin delivery devices feature connectivity, enabling data transfer to phone applications to provide decision support and reduce errors in dosing and timing, while also reducing cognitive burdens.

The research team conducted an online survey in 223 people with a self-reported diagnosis of diabetes to assess their perceptions of insulin therapy management, and their impressions of connection-enabled insulin pens compared to standard insulin pens.

In addition, they used the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 to assess adherence to insulin therapy.

Among the respondents, the most prominent unmet need was the necessity to overcome the cognitive burden of care associated with measuring, calculating, timing, and recording therapy, the study reveals.

According to the results, only a quarter of respondents had high adherence and 28 per cent had low adherence.

To access the research report, click here.