Effectiveness of Wearable Devices for Diabetes Management: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

Wearable devices play an important role in managing diabetic patients, and patient demand for them is also on the rise. This overview systematically summarizes and appraises the current evidence on wearable device-based interventions for diabetic patients.

Systematic reviews/meta-analyses on wearable device interventions for diabetic patients were searched in 10 databases from inception to February 21, 2025. Two researchers independently screened and extracted the data. Methodological quality was assessed using the AMSTAR-2 tool, report quality via the PRISMA 2020 statement, and evidence quality through the GRADE approach.

Thirty-one studies were included. PRISMA 2020 reporting quality scores ranged from 20 to 26.5 points. Regarding AMSTAR-2 methodological quality, 25.8% (8/31) were rated high, 38.7% (12/31) low, and 35.5% (11/31) very low. GRADE assessed 97 bodies of evidence (four outcome categories, 27 specific indicators), with only 1 (1.03%) rated as high quality. Wearable devices for diabetes management primarily fall into four categories: blood glucose monitoring, therapeutic interventions, exercise interventions, and comprehensive management systems. Blood glucose monitoring devices were the most widely used and were associated with significant increases in time in range (TIR) and reductions in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Among therapeutic devices, specialized footwear reduced the risk of diabetic foot ulcers, whereas exercise interventions increased daily step counts.

Wearable devices may benefit glycemic control, exercise management, and foot ulcer prevention in diabetic patients, but evidence for preventing diabetic ketoacidosis and improving psychological outcomes remains limited. These findings should be interpreted cautiously due to the generally low quality of existing evidence. High-quality, long-term studies are needed.