The effectiveness of goal setting on glycaemic control for people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM This review assessed the effectiveness of interventions using a goal-setting approach on glycaemic control for people diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. DESIGN A systematic review guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for conducting systematic reviews of primary research studies was conducted. DATA SOURCES Randomized controlled trials and experimental studies with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months were considered for inclusion. The primary outcome was change in glycaemic control as measured by glycated haemoglobin (%) and/or fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl). A systematic search of seven electronic databases was completed in October 2020. REVIEW METHODS Papers meeting the inclusion criteria were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute tools for critical appraisal followed by data extraction. A Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation assessment was conducted to assess the overall certainty of the evidence. Fixed-effect meta-analyses were completed to demonstrate the mean effect for each outcome of interest. RESULTS Twenty one studies were included in this review. Goal setting was more effective than usual care for glycaemic control in prediabetes at 6 months and at 12 months for fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl) and glycated haemoglobin (%). Goal setting was more effective than usual care for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes for fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl) at 6 months, fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl) at 12 months, glycated haemoglobin (%) at 6 months and glycated haemoglobin (%) at 12 months. CONCLUSION The evidence suggests goal setting is effective in supporting people to achieve glycaemic targets in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.