Supported telemonitoring improved HbA1c and blood pressure in type 2 diabetes
Last updated May 6, 2026
Key finding
In adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes in UK family practice, supported telemonitoring lowered HbA1c and ambulatory blood pressure more than usual care over 9 months, without changing weight.
This UK trial tested home telemonitoring with clinician review in 321 adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. Over 9 months, people in the telemonitoring group had better HbA1c and lower ambulatory blood pressure than those receiving usual care, while body weight stayed similar between groups.
Quick read
Study at a glance
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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
In adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes in UK family practice, supported telemonitoring lowered HbA1c and ambulatory blood pressure more than usual care over 9 months, without changing weight.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Wild SH, Hanley J, Lewis SC, et al. Supported Telemonitoring and Glycemic Control in People with Type 2 Diabetes: The Telescot Diabetes Pragmatic Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial. PLoS Med. 2016;13(7):e1002098. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002098
Main Effects
HbA1c ↓ by 0.51% versus usual care
Systolic blood pressure ↓ by 3.06 mmHg
Diastolic blood pressure ↓ by 2.17 mmHg
Body weight ↔ with no clear between-group difference
Evidence Suggest
- Adjusted mean HbA1c was 5.60 mmol/mol lower in the telemonitoring group at 9 months.
- Ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure were both lower with telemonitoring than with usual care.
- Weight, prescribing patterns, and most health service use measures were not clearly different between groups.
Who this applies to
These findings apply most directly to adults with type 2 diabetes in primary care who have poor glycemic control, can use home monitoring equipment, and have access to remote clinician follow-up. The results are especially relevant to UK-style family practice settings, but may also inform similar telehealth programs elsewhere.
Keep in Mind
This was a structured telemonitoring program, not simple unsupported self-monitoring. Participants transmitted readings, and clinicians reviewed results regularly and contacted patients when needed. The benefits may depend on that support model, patient engagement, and the local health system’s ability to respond to incoming data. It is also not yet clear whether the improvement lasts after monitoring stops.
Between the Lines
- Participants and clinicians could not be fully blinded to group assignment.
- Only a minority of invited eligible patients joined the trial, so participants may not represent all patients with poorly controlled diabetes.
- The study did not show how long the benefit lasts after the 9-month intervention ends.
- The exact mechanism of benefit was unclear because medication changes and self-management behavior may both have contributed.
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