Applications of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Cognitive Research in Diabetes: a Scoping Review

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has increasingly been incorporated into studies examining cognitive function in people with diabetes. This scoping review systematically maps how CGM has been applied in cognitive research among individuals with diabetes to characterize current methodological approaches, identify key knowledge gaps, and inform future research.

A scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O'Malley's framework. A systematic search of five electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PsycINFO) was performed. Cognitive outcomes were extracted and mapped to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. CGM data completeness was consistently high, with 84-100% of expected CGM data captured, supporting the feasibility of intensive glucose monitoring in cognitive research in diabetes. Considerable heterogeneity was observed in cognitive domains and assessment tools. Most studies evaluated executive function, memory, and attention, whereas psychomotor, language, and perceived cognitive functions were less frequently assessed. More than 10 distinct instruments were used to assess memory and executive function. Across studies, similar cognitive domains were examined regardless of the specific CGM metrics employed. Research examining CGM and cognitive function in diabetes is characterized by substantial methodological variability in both CGM metrics and cognitive assessments. These findings underscore the need for greater standardization to improve cross-study comparability and to advance CGM-informed cognitive research, including the development of personalized interventions to support cognitive health through optimized glucose management in people with diabetes.