randomized trial
In an efficacy trial that has been conducted at the University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital (Miami, FL), preliminary data indicates that the "dbaza Diabetes Education for Kids" CD-ROM instructions are more effective than conventional teaching methods. In a sample of 19 children, participants ranged in ages from 8 to 14, 32% were male, and on average, had had diabetes for 0.82 years. A randomized, two-group, pre-post-test design was used. All children were randomly assigned to the experimental group (CD-ROM, n=10) or the control group (workbook, n=9). At study enrollment, all children participated in a pre-test of diabetes knowledge - Modified version of the Test of Diabetes Knowledge: Revised-4" (Johnson et al., 1982; Harkavy et al., 1983). The first post-test occurred immediately after exposing to the CD-ROM (experimental group) or Workbook (control group); the second post-test occurred one month later.

results
Pre-tests (CD-ROM vs. workbook / mean ± standard deviation / percent correct answers: 64.4 ± 23.5 vs. 75.6 ± 13.3) and immediate post-tests (84.3 ± 10.9 vs. 80.5 ± 17.8) did not differ significantly (p > 0.10); however, there was a trend suggesting that after 30 days post-test scores among children in the CD-ROM group were higher (85.7 ± 9.6 vs. 78.4 ± 13.8, one-sided p = 0.081).

conclusion
Preliminary results indicate that interactive computer assisted diabetes instructions may be more effective than conventional teaching methods.

Johnson SB, Pollak RT, Silverstein JH, Rosenbloom AL, Spillar R, McCallum M, Harkavy J. Cognitive and behavioral knowledge about insulin-dependent diabetes among children and parents. Pediatrics 1982; 69:708-713.

Harkavy J, Johnson SB, Silverstein J, Spillar R, McCallum M, Rosenbloom A. Who learns what at diabetes summer camp? J Pediatr Psychol 1983; 8:143-153.