Home telemedicine may improve HbA1c in older adults with type 2 diabetes
Last updated May 30, 2026
Key finding
A 6-month randomized trial found that home telemedicine plus Health Belief Model education improved HbA1c and self-management outcomes in older adults with type 2 diabetes.
This randomized trial tested a home telemedicine program combined with Health Belief Model-based education in older adults with type 2 diabetes. After 6 months, the intervention group had better HbA1c improvement and higher self-management, self-efficacy, and health belief scores than the control group.
Quick read
Study at a glance
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
Follow-up
Medium-Term (3–12 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
What this paper says
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
A 6-month randomized trial found that home telemedicine plus Health Belief Model education improved HbA1c and self-management outcomes in older adults with type 2 diabetes.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Zhang A, Wang J, Wan X, et al. Community-Based Intelligent Blood Glucose Management for Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Based on the Health Belief Model: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2025;13:e60227. doi:10.2196/60227
Main Effects
HbA1c ↓ more with telemedicine plus HBM education than with routine community management at 6 months
Diabetes self-management behaviors ↑ in the intervention group compared with control
Self-efficacy and health belief scores ↑ more in the intervention group
Evidence Suggest
- Participants were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups, with 99 participants in each group.
- The intervention lasted 6 months and included telemedicine smart devices, glucose monitoring, multidisciplinary feedback, and HBM-based education.
- The intervention group had greater improvements in HbA1c, SDSCA, SED, and HBM scores at 6 months.
Who this applies to
Community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older with type 2 diabetes.
Keep in Mind
This was not a medication trial; the intervention was digital monitoring plus education and care-team support.
Between the Lines
- The trial lasted 6 months, so long-term effects are unknown.
- Participants willing to join may have had higher readiness for digital health tools.
- Several secondary outcomes were questionnaire-based and may be affected by recall bias.
- The care providers delivering the intervention were not blinded.
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