- βCGM lowers A1C, increases time in range, and drives lasting behavior change for people with type 2 diabetes across all treatment types β not just those on insulin.
| Journal | Diabetes therapy : research, treatment and education of diabetes and related disorders |
| Year | 2026 |
| Authors | Son, Moon, Cho |
| PMID | 41413366 |
| DOI | 10.1007/s13300-025-01830-8 |
What This Study Found
A 2026 review published in Diabetes Therapy looked at the growing body of evidence on continuous glucose monitors (CGM) in type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that CGM consistently improves A1C levels, increases time in range, and reduces blood sugar swings β regardless of whether a person uses insulin. Beyond the numbers, CGM also helped people feel more confident managing their diabetes and more satisfied with their treatment.
Why This Matters for You
For a long time, CGM devices were seen mainly as tools for people with type 1 diabetes or those taking insulin. This review challenges that thinking. If you have type 2 diabetes and manage it with pills, diet, or other non-insulin medications, CGM may still offer real benefits.
Here's why that's a big deal:
- You can see what's happening in real time. A finger-stick test only tells you your blood sugar at one moment. CGM shows you the full picture β how your levels rise and fall throughout the day in response to meals, exercise, stress, and sleep.
- It can motivate behavior change. When you can actually see how a walk after dinner or a high-carb lunch affects your blood sugar, it becomes easier to make lasting changes. The review found that CGM works especially well as a behavior change tool when combined with education and coaching.
- It can catch problems earlier. CGM can reveal hidden blood sugar spikes or overnight lows that a standard glucose test would miss. This means your doctor can spot and address issues sooner.
What the Research Shows
The authors reviewed both randomized clinical trials and real-world studies. Across these different types of research, the results were consistent: people with type 2 diabetes who used CGM saw improvements in key measures like A1C (a 3-month average of blood sugar control) and time in range (how many hours per day blood sugar stays in a healthy zone). They also reported feeling less diabetes-related distress and more in control of their health.
The review also noted that CGM is useful beyond day-to-day management. It can help identify people who are at risk for diabetes but haven't yet been diagnosed β catching early blood sugar problems that standard testing might miss.
What Are the Barriers?
The researchers were honest about the challenges. CGM devices can be expensive, and insurance coverage is still inconsistent for people with type 2 diabetes not on insulin. There's also the question of what to do with all that data β without proper guidance, the numbers can feel overwhelming rather than helpful.
This is why working with a knowledgeable healthcare team matters. Getting the most out of CGM means understanding your glucose patterns and knowing how to act on them.
Key Takeaway
CGM lowers A1C, increases time in range, and drives lasting behavior change for people with type 2 diabetes across all treatment types β not just those on insulin.
How MDS Diabetes Can Help
If you're exploring CGM options or looking for supplies to support your diabetes management, visit mdsdiabetes.com to browse products suited for people with type 2 diabetes at every stage of their journey.
Full Citation
Son, Moon, Cho (2026). The Expanding Role of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in the Management and Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Therapy: Research, Treatment and Education of Diabetes and Related Disorders. PMID: 41413366. DOI: 10.1007/s13300-025-01830-8