A new study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism has shown that using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in conjunction with personalized health education in the workplace can help individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and pre-diabetes improve their blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and lose weight. The study suggests that combining technology with structured education may be an effective strategy to support metabolic health in working adults.

The 8-week prospective study included 234 employees (161 with T2D and 73 with pre-diabetes) who wore a Freestyle Libre CGM device for two weeks and received tailored advice on diet and physical activity. The primary goal was to see changes in HbA1c levels (a marker of average blood sugar) at 8 weeks, with other goals including changes in fasting blood sugar, weight, cholesterol, and patient-reported outcomes.

In participants with type 2 diabetes, HbA1c levels improved significantly from 6.9% to 6.5%, fasting blood sugar levels dropped from 128.4 mg/dL to 117.6 mg/dL, weight decreased from 81.9 kg to 80.7 kg, and LDL cholesterol levels decreased from 106.0 mg/dL to 95.1 mg/dL. All these changes were statistically significant.

The study reported benefits in people with pre-diabetes. The weight loss in this population was from 79.7 kg to 78.5 kg and a reduction in LDL cholesterol from 124.5 mg/dL to 113.8 mg/dL. However, their blood sugar levels did not change significantly. These improvements were sustained during follow-up visits, approximately 6.4 months later, and both groups reported better outcomes in terms of how they felt and managed their condition.