Why didn't the young people use the system to its full potential?

Many struggled with motivation, diabetes burnout, and everyday stress. Some forgot to log meals or ignored alerts — common challenges for young people managing a demanding condition.

Can a closed-loop pump help if my HbA1c is very high?

This study suggests yes — participants with HbA1c averaging 10.2% still saw improvements. However, combining the technology with regular support from your diabetes team gives you the best chance of success.

What kind of support did participants say they needed?

They highlighted the need for encouragement from family, regular check-ins with healthcare professionals, and access to psychological or emotional support to help manage diabetes-related distress.

Teens with High HbA1c Try Closed-Loop Pump Therapy

Key takeaways

✓Blood sugar levels improved even when the system wasn't used perfectly
✓Participants were overall satisfied with their glucose improvements
✓Study highlights the importance of combining technology with psychological support

Quick specs

Journal	Pediatric diabetes
Year	2024
PMID	40302968

What Was This Study About?

Advanced hybrid closed-loop (AHCL) therapy is a smart insulin pump system that automatically adjusts insulin delivery based on your blood sugar levels. Researchers wanted to know how young people with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes (T1D) experienced this technology in real life.

Who Was Involved?

Ten young people aged 12 to 25 years took part in in-depth interviews after using the Medtronic MiniMed closed-loop system for 6 months. All participants had an HbA1c above 8.5% at the start, meaning their blood sugar control was significantly above target. Their average HbA1c was 10.2%, and they had been living with T1D for an average of nearly 11 years.

What Did Researchers Find?

Three big themes came out of the interviews: 1. Blood sugars improved — even without using the system perfectly Participants saw real improvements in their glucose levels, which was encouraging. However, many admitted they didn't use the closed-loop features to their full potential — for example, not always entering meals properly or ignoring alerts. 2. Diabetes burden didn't go away Despite better numbers, young people still felt exhausted and stressed by managing diabetes every day. The technology helped, but it didn't remove the emotional weight of living with T1D. 3. They needed more support — from family and health teams Participants highlighted that ongoing encouragement from both family members and healthcare professionals was essential. Many felt they could have done even better with more guidance and psychological support.

Why Does This Matter?

This study reminds us that technology alone isn't enough. For young people struggling with diabetes management, advanced tools like closed-loop pumps can make a meaningful difference — but they work best when paired with emotional support, education, and regular check-ins from care teams.

The Bottom Line

If you or your child has high HbA1c and is considering a closed-loop pump system, this research suggests it can genuinely help — but don't underestimate the importance of psychological support and learning how to use the system well.

References & Sources

Frequently asked questions

It's a smart insulin pump that automatically adjusts your insulin based on real-time blood sugar readings from a continuous glucose monitor, reducing the need for constant manual adjustments.

Editorial note

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diabetes management. Last reviewed: July 16, 2026 by the MDS Diabetes editorial team.

What to do next

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Teens with High HbA1c Share Their Closed-Loop Pump Experiences