Aurora, Colorado, USA, October 14, 2026
University of Colorado Anschutz researchers have reported that continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can significantly improve blood sugar management in adults with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin. Findings from a randomized clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that participants using CGMs spent approximately five additional hours per day within their target blood glucose range compared with those receiving routine diabetes care. The study also found greater improvements in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a measure of average blood glucose over approximately three months. The results provide important clinical evidence for a patient population that has historically been underrepresented in research on continuous glucose monitoring.
CGM Users Spend More Time in Target Glucose Range
The clinical trial included 283 adults across 22 primary care practices in the United States, with participants followed for 26 weeks. It was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of continuous glucose monitoring among adults with type 2 diabetes who were not taking insulin. Unlike studies focused primarily on specialist diabetes clinics or insulin-treated patients, this research examined CGM use in primary care settings, where many people with type 2 diabetes receive routine treatment. CGMs use a small sensor worn on the body to measure glucose levels continuously throughout the day and night. Readings can be viewed on a compatible receiver or smartphone, helping users understand how meals, physical activity and other daily habits influence their blood sugar levels. This continuous feedback differs from traditional finger-stick testing, which provides glucose measurements at individual points in time. According to the findings, participants using CGMs spent approximately five more hours each day in their target glucose range than those receiving routine care. The researchers also reported that nearly twice as many CGM users achieved an HbA1c level below 7%, a commonly used treatment target for many adults with diabetes. These findings suggest that access to continuous glucose information may help patients and healthcare professionals identify glucose patterns and make more informed diabetes management decisions.
Clinical Trial Reports Meaningful HbA1c Improvement
The study also found a substantial difference in HbA1c outcomes between the CGM and routine-care groups. The difference in HbA1c improvement was 0.9 percentage points, which the researchers described as exceeding the threshold generally considered clinically meaningful. HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over roughly two to three months and is widely used to monitor long-term diabetes management. Maintaining blood glucose within an appropriate range is important because persistently elevated glucose can increase the risk of complications, including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and vision loss. The study’s findings suggest that continuous monitoring may offer a useful additional tool for people who manage type 2 diabetes without insulin, including those who may not routinely receive intensive glucose monitoring. The researchers emphasized that the trial’s primary care setting makes its findings relevant to everyday clinical practice. By studying patients treated in 22 different primary care practices, the research provides evidence on how CGM technology may perform outside highly specialized diabetes centres. Nevertheless, individual outcomes can vary, and the benefits observed in the study should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every patient will achieve the same improvements.
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Findings Could Influence Diabetes Care Recommendations
The findings may help address an evidence gap in recommendations for CGM use among people with type 2 diabetes who do not take insulin. Existing American Diabetes Association Standards of Care have historically been supported by stronger evidence for CGM use among people receiving insulin than among those managing diabetes without it. The new randomized trial provides additional data that could inform future clinical guidance and discussions about access to monitoring technology. Lead author Tamara Oser, MD, a professor in the University of Colorado Anschutz Department of Family Medicine and director of its Primary Care Diabetes Lab, said the researchers hope the results will strengthen diabetes care recommendations and support broader insurance coverage for eligible patients. The findings do not mean CGMs are necessary or suitable for every person with type 2 diabetes. Device selection, access, cost and interpretation of glucose readings should be considered with a healthcare professional as part of an individualized treatment plan. The University of Colorado Anschutz study strengthens clinical evidence supporting CGM use in adults with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin. Further research and updated clinical guidance will help determine how these results translate into routine practice and wider access to diabetes monitoring technology.
Source: University of Colorado Anschutz press release
