Wearable activity monitors are promising tools for improving metabolic outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but no uniform conclusive evidence is available. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of intervention using wearable activity monitors on blood glucose, blood pressure, blood lipid, weight, waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) in T2DM.

Two independent reviewers searched four online databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Embase) to identify relevant studies published from January 2000 to October 2022. The primary outcome indicator was glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and secondary outcome indicators included physical activity (steps per day), fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, BMI, waist circumference and weight.

A total of 25 studies were included. HbA1c [Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) = -0.14, 95%CI (-0.27, -0.02), P = 0.02, I2 = 48%], BMI [SMD = -0.16, 95%CI (-0.26, -0.05), P = 0.002, I2 = 0], waist circumference [SMD = -0.21, 95%CI (-0.34, -0.09), P ＜ 0.001, I2 = 0], steps/day [SMD = 0.55, 95%CI (0.36, 0.94), P < 0.001, I2 = 77%], were significantly improved.

Wearable activity monitor-based interventions could facilitate the improvement of HbA1c, BMI, waist circumference and the increase of physical activity in T2DM. Wearable technology appeared to be an effective tool for the self-management of T2DM, but there is insufficient evidence about its long-term effect.