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Background To assess the effect of auditory guided imagery (AGI) on glucose levels, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and quality of life (QOL) in type 1 diabetes mellitus children. Methods A blinded randomized controlled study comparing the effect of AGI accompanied by background music and background music solely (BMS). The study included 13 children, (7-16 years). The participants were connected to continuous glucose monitoring system for 5 days (short phase), and the outcome measure was the change in mean interstitial glucose concentration (IGC). Participants listened to the recording twice a week for 12 weeks (long phase), and the outcome measures were changes in QOL and in HbA1c. Results Mean IGC decreased in both AGI and BMS groups while listening. HbA1c decreased in both groups, but the decrease in the AGI group was significant. Conclusion Listening to AGI is a potential approach for improving glycemic control and glucose levels in youth with T1DM, but further research is required.

Objective To evaluate the effect of intensive art therapy in youth with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods A retrospective report of the characteristics and outcomes of all patients who were offered to receive individual art therapy sessions because of behavioral difficulties. Results The study population included 29 participants. The main behavioral difficulties were needle phobia and lack of compliance with nutritional recommendations or with insulin administration. The intervention group included 16 patients, with a mean age of 9.3±2.5 years, average intervention length of 0.77±0.41 years, and long-term data of 2.27±1.13 years. The control group included 13 patients, with a mean age of 9.3±3.4 years. Improvement was observed in 56% of the case group and in 23% of the control group. Art therapy was associated with a decrease in hemoglobin A1c in the intervention group compared with a similar control group (-0.79%, ±0.24%; r=0.17, p=0.025). Conclusions The addition of intensive art therapy for poorly controlled youth with T1DM may improve their glycemic control.