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A Novel Miniature Equine-Assisted Diabetes Education Program for Youth: Evaluating the Diabetes Equine Empowerment Program (DEEP).
Sponsor: Nemours Children's Clinic
Summary
The Diabetes \& Equine Empowerment Program (DEEP) is a research study evaluating a novel diabetes education program that combines hands-on interactions with miniature horses and evidence-based diabetes self-management education for youth ages 8-20 years with diabetes. Participants and their caregivers attend four structured educational sessions led by a diabetes specialist and a certified equine specialist. Topics include diabetes self-management, coping skills, problem-solving, self-advocacy, and transition readiness. Researchers will evaluate whether the program is feasible to deliver, acceptable to participants and families, and helpful in supporting engagement in diabetes care. Participants will be followed for up to six months after the program, and study outcomes include satisfaction, diabetes-related distress, self-care behaviors, clinic attendance, and diabetes technology use. In simple terms, this study is exploring whether learning about diabetes through guided activities with miniature horses can help children, adolescents, and young adults feel more confident in managing their diabetes, improve self-care skills, and become more engaged in their health care. The goal is to determine whether this innovative educational approach is practical to offer and valued by patients, families, and health care providers.
Official title: Tiny Hooves, Big Impact - A Feasibility Study of Miniature Equine-Assisted Diabetes Education for Children With Diabetes
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
8 Years - 20 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
50
Start Date
2026-10-01
Completion Date
2028-10-01
Last Updated
2026-09-16
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Diabetes & Equine Empowerment Program (DEEP)
The Diabetes \& Equine Empowerment Program (DEEP) is a behavioral and educational intervention that combines evidence-based diabetes self-management education with structured, hands-on interactions involving miniature horses. Youth with diabetes and their caregivers participate in four facilitated sessions led by a diabetes specialist and a certified equine specialist. Session activities are designed to reinforce diabetes self-management skills, coping strategies, problem-solving, communication, self-advocacy, and transition readiness through experiential learning. The intervention aims to improve participant engagement, confidence in diabetes management, and readiness for increasing independence while providing a supportive and interactive learning environment. The program is being evaluated for feasibility, acceptability, participant satisfaction, and potential effects on psychosocial and behavioral outcomes.