Investigating the Effect of Diabetes Camp on Hemoglobin A1C Levels in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Structured educational programs focused on diabetes self-management can lead to significant improvements in blood sugar control and other diabetes-related outcomes. Diabetes camps provide unique educational experiences for individuals with diabetes. This systematic review aims to investigate the impact of diabetes camps on hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) in children with type 1 diabetes. Methods: Scopus, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases were systematically searched to find intervention studies that investigated the effect of camp on HbA1C in children with type 1 diabetes. Among the selected studies, the participants’ knowledge and any changes in insulin dosage were also investigated. The random effects model was employed to calculate overall effects, and subgroup analyses were performed to identify potential sources of heterogeneities among the studies. Findings: A total of 11 clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis. The study results indicated a significant reduction in HbA1c levels 95% confidence interval (CI):-0.904 to-0.144, mean difference:-0.524, P: 0.007. Additionally, the intervention did not have a significant effect on the insulin dosage required by the patients (mean difference:-0.02, 95% CI:-0.07 to-0.04). However, it did significantly enhance patients' knowledge and awareness (mean difference: 16.95, 95% CI: 4.95-28.94). Conclusion: The camp can be beneficial for improving blood sugar levels in individuals with type 1 diabetes while also enhancing their knowledge. © 2025, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.