CGM: A Powerful Tool for Behavior Change in Diabetes
Provided by AAFP partner
A powerful tool for successful diabetes management requires both quality clinical care and effective self-management to achieve optimal health outcomes.1 Family medicine clinicians play a crucial role in motivating patients to be active players in their own diabetes management.2 Diabetes management is complex. Getting to the heart of sustained behavior change should be addressed with compassionate and evidence-based clinical care that provides the best tools to patients.
Real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) has been proven to increase time in range (TIR),3 reduce hypoglycemia,4 and improve AIC.3,5 Recent studies indicate that real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) is an effective tool for facilitating and maintaining behavior changes in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes.6
Consider the following research-backed advantages that RT-CGM offers in helping facilitate behavior change and self-efficacy with patients6-8:
- Attitude changes: CGM devices provide continuous, real-time feedback, highlighting how foods, activities, and medications affect glucose. This visibility can lead to meaningful attitude changes.
- Motivation through data and enhanced awareness: The link between behaviors and glucose levels encourages proactive changes in activity, nutrition, and medication. Positive glucose changes can reinforce motivation.
- Data-Driven Decision-making: CGMs enable data sharing with healthcare teams, aiding shared decision-making and personalized optimization.
In a recent episode of Real-Time Real Talk, "Charting a New Path: How Glucose Sensors are Driving Behavior Change in Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes", Emily Cornelius, a Registered Dietician explores the transformative impact of continuous glucose monitoring on individuals with prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
To learn more about RT-CGM and behavior change, listen to the podcast.
REFERENCES
- Swanson V, Maltinsky W. Motivational and behaviour change approaches for improving diabetes management. Pract Diab. 2019;36:121-125.
- Bartol T. Improving the treatment experience for patients with type 2 diabetes: role of the nurse practitioner. J Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2012;24 Suppl 1:270-276.
- Beck RW, Riddlesworth T, Ruedy K, et al. Effect of continuous glucose monitoring on glycemic control in adults with type 1 diabetes using insulin injections: the DIAMOND randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2017;317(4):371-378.
- Billings LK, Parkin CG, Price D. Baseline Glycated Hemoglobin Values Predict the Magnitude of Glycemic Improvement in Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: Subgroup Analyses from the DIAMOND Study Program. Diabetes Technol Ther 2018;12(8): 561-5654
- Nanna Lind, Merete B. Christensen, Dorte L. Hansen, Kirsten Nørgaard; Comparing Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Blood Glucose Monitoring in Adults With Inadequately Controlled, Insulin-Treated Type 2 Diabetes (Steno2tech Study): A 12-Month, Single-Center, Randomized Controlled Trial. Diabetes Care 19 April 2024; 47 (5): 881–889. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc23-2194
- Clark T, Polonsky WH, Soriano EC. The potential impact of continuous glucose monitoring use on diabetes-related attitudes and behaviors in adults with type 2 diabetes: a qualitative investigation of the patient experience. Diabetes Technol Ther. Published online May 13, 2024.
- Ehrhardt N, Al Zaghal E. Continuous glucose monitoring as a behavior modification tool. Clin Diabetes. 2020;38(2):126-131.
- Margaret a. Crawford, et al; 677-P: Exploring the Impact of CGM on Perceived Control of Non-Intensive Insulin Treated Type 2 Diabetes ". Diabetes 20 June 2023; 72 (Supplement_1): 677–P. https://doi.org/10.2337/db23-677-P
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