Key Message
We reviewed and assessed the quality of the twelve articles included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The findings of this review show that peer support integrated with diabetes self-management education programs can significantly enhance glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients. Peer support is a critical component of a successful diabetes self-management programme in patients with type 2 diabetes. interventions programme with smaller groups, shorter durations, lower HbA1c baseline levels, group sessions, and high frequencies of sessions significantly enhanced glycemic control.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by

- 1. Improving Care and Promoting Health in Populations: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026
Mandeep Bajaj, Rozalina G. McCoy, Kirthikaa Balapattabi, Raveendhara R. Bannuru, Natalie J. Bellini, Allison K. Bennett, Elizabeth A. Beverly, Kathaleen Briggs Early, Sathyavathi ChallaSivaKanaka, Osagie Ebekozien, Justin B. Echouffo-Tcheugui, Brendan M.
Diabetes Care.2026; 49(Supplement): S13. CrossRef - Conceptual validation of a family-centered intervention for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: insights from focus groups with healthcare professionals, patients, and families
Vânia Lídia Soares, Carlos Alberto da Sequeira, Maria Carminda Morais, Maria do Céu Barbieri-Figueiredo
BMC Primary Care.2026;[Epub] CrossRef - The Effectiveness of Peer Support on Self‐Management and Psychosocial Outcomes in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Tiqiong Gong, Hong Wang, Qingshu Zhang, Yansheng Ye
Hemodialysis International.2026;[Epub] CrossRef - The Underutilization of National Diabetes Prevention Program Among Women With a History of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: An In-Depth Focus Group Analysis
Priyadharshini Narayanan, Sahitya R. Kothapalli, Harmonie B. Strohl, Linda L. Hill
AJPM Focus.2025; 4(1): 100279. CrossRef - 1. Improving Care and Promoting Health in Populations: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025
Nuha A. ElSayed, Rozalina G. McCoy, Grazia Aleppo, Kirthikaa Balapattabi, Elizabeth A. Beverly, Kathaleen Briggs Early, Dennis Bruemmer, Osagie Ebekozien, Justin B. Echouffo-Tcheugui, Laya Ekhlaspour, Rajesh Garg, Kamlesh Khunti, Rayhan Lal, Ildiko Lingva
Diabetes Care.2025; 48(Supplement): S14. CrossRef - Practicing Meta-Analytics with Rectification
Ramalingam Shanmugam, Karan P. Singh
Publications.2025; 13(1): 2. CrossRef - Lessons learned in recruiting and retaining Black men in behavioral diabetes intervention research
Jaclynn M. Hawkins, Alana M. Ewen, Martha Funnell, Robin Nwankwo, Gretchen Piatt
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications.2025; 45: 101487. CrossRef - A Randomized Controlled Trial in a 14-Month Longitudinal Design to Analyze the Effects of a Peer Support Instant Messaging Service Intervention to Improve Diabetes Self-Management and Support
Elisabeth Höld, Ursula Hemetek, Katharina Tremmel, Tatjana Aubram, Johanna Grüblbauer, Martin Wiesholzer, Manuel Schwanda, Stefan Stieger
Diabetology.2025; 6(5): 44. CrossRef - Psychological Care Needs and Mental Health Service Use Among Adults with Diabetes: Evidence from the Diabetes, Distress, and Disparities (3D) Study
Briana Mezuk, Kara M. Mannor, Rebecca Hebert, Lauren Kouassi, Bella Flores, Emma Spring, Alejandro Rodríguez-Putnam
Healthcare.2025; 13(12): 1427. CrossRef - Type 2 Diabetes Management: Is it Fair to Put the Onus on the Patients Alone?
Ragini Bhake, Shalbha Tiwari, Neelam Patil, Shailesh Deshpande
Chronicle of Diabetes Research and Practice.2025; 4(2): 59. CrossRef - Evaluation of the NHS England Low-Calorie Diet implementation pilot: a coproduced mixed-method study
Louisa J Ells, Tamara Brown, Jamie Matu, Ken Clare, Simon Rowlands, Maria Maynard, Karina Kinsella, Kevin Drew, Jordan R Marwood, Pooja Dhir, Tamla S Evans, Maria Bryant, Wendy Burton, Duncan Radley, Jim McKenna, Catherine Homer, Adam Martin, Davide Tebal
Health and Social Care Delivery Research.2025; : 1. CrossRef - The effect of peer support on HbA1c levels in middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Jiankun Luo, Jiyuan Shu, Weiqing Pan, Duanqin Guan, Congmin Liang, Dongyan Zheng, Kailun Huang, Yixi Lai, Bing Meng, Renjian Lu, Ziwei Cai, Lifei Xing, Jialong Chen, He Zhang
PeerJ.2025; 13: e19803. CrossRef - Pentingnya Kesehatan Mental Dalam Manajemen Diri Diabetes Mellitus
Iswanto, Ratna Puji Priyanti, Eka Mei Dianita
DEDIKASI SAINTEK Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat.2025; 4(2): 158. CrossRef - Is There a Relationship Between Social Health and Musculoskeletal Discomfort and Incapability? A Systematic Review
Andrew Samson, Ananya Murthy, David Ring, Niels Brinkman
Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research.2025;[Epub] CrossRef - The role of dietary tracking on changes in dietary behaviour in a community-based diabetes prevention and management intervention
Ranjita Misra, Delores James
Public Health Nutrition.2025;[Epub] CrossRef - Peer-led Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Enhances Cardiometabolic Markers in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Elizabeth Wanjiru Maina, Samuel Kimani, James Mwaura
INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing.2025;[Epub] CrossRef - “I no longer feel that diabetes is the end of everything, but rather the beginning of a healthier lifestyle”: Experience of type 2 diabetes mellitus patient to achieve glycemic control
Rifky Octavia Pradipta, Sylvia Dwi Wahyuni, Hakim Zulkarnain, Ferry Efendi, Mei Chan Chong
Electronic Journal of General Medicine.2025; 22(6): em705. CrossRef - Reimagining Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Services: Complementing the Four Critical Times With Continuous, Peer-Driven Support
Janice MacLeod, Donna Rice, Deborah Greenwood
ADCES in Practice.2025;[Epub] CrossRef - Exploring the REACHOUT Mental Health Support App for Type 1 Diabetes from the perspectives of recipients and providers of peer support: A Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Debbie Lam, Poonamdeep Jhajj, Diana Sherifali, Frances S. Chen, Tricia S. Tang
JMIR Diabetes.2025;[Epub] CrossRef - Systematic review of healthcare-led and lay-led interventions for type 2 diabetes in community settings
Xuanning Luo, Chuanlei Zheng, Qingfeng Wu
Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef - Impact of Diabetes Self-Management Education on A1C Levels Among Black/African Americans: A Systematic Review
Hilda M. Okeyo, Martha Biddle, Lovoria B. Williams
The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care.2024; 50(1): 87. CrossRef - The effects of diabetes clubs on peer-support, disclosure of diabetes status, and sources of information regarding diabetes management: results of a pilot-intervention in rural Vietnam
D.W. Meyrowitsch, N.-A. Thi Dang, T.V. Phong, J. Nielsen, J. Søndergaard, N.D. Cuong, H. Le Minh, T.K.D. Vu, I.C. Bygbjerg, T.M. Gammeltoft, N.D. Thanh
Public Health.2024; 228: 171. CrossRef - Effect of peer support interventions in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review
Chen Chen, Yuan Zhou, Jia-Yi Xu, Hai-Yan Song, Xu-Wen Yin, Ze-Juan Gu
Patient Education and Counseling.2024; 122: 108172. CrossRef - Prioritizing Patient Experiences in the Management of Diabetes and Its Complications: An Endocrine Society Position Statement
Rita R Kalyani, Myriam Z Allende-Vigo, Kellie J Antinori-Lent, Kelly L Close, Sandeep R Das, Phyllisa Deroze, Steven V Edelman, Nuha A El Sayed, David Kerr, Joshua J Neumiller, Anna Norton
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.2024; 109(5): 1155. CrossRef - Self-help friendliness and cooperation with self-help groups among rehabilitation clinics in Germany (KoReS): a mixed-methods study protocol
Elâ Ziegler, Thea Bartzsch, Alf Trojan, Nicole Usko, Ines Krahn, Sabine Bütow, Christopher Kofahl
BMJ Open.2024; 14(3): e083489. CrossRef - Peer support for adults with type 2 diabetes starting continuous glucose monitoring—An exploratory randomised controlled trial
Nanna Lind, Merete Bechmann Christensen, Dorte Lindqvist Hansen, Ingrid Willaing, Kirsten Nørgaard
Diabetic Medicine.2024;[Epub] CrossRef - Implementing (and evaluating) peer support with people living with noncommunicable diseases in humanitarian settings
Benjamin Schmid, Carla Njeim, Lavanya Vijayasingham, Leah Anku Sanga, Rima Kighsro Naimi, Fouad M. Fouad, Chaza Akik, Carla Zmeter, Sigiriya Aebischer Perone, Lars Bruun Larsen, Jytte Roswall, Éimhín Ansbro, Pablo Perel
Journal of Migration and Health.2024; 9: 100229. CrossRef - Recent Findings on the Effectiveness of Peer Support for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
James J. Werner, Kelsey Ufholz, Prashant Yamajala
Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports.2024; 18(5): 65. CrossRef - Peer support for people living with hepatitis B virus—A foundation for treatment expansion
Louise O. Downs, Kenneth Kabagambe, Sarah Williams, Elizabeth Waddilove, Marion Delphin, Sheila F. Lumley, Richard Ndungutse, Beatrice Kimono, Robert Newton, Joy Ko, Emily Martyn, Jessica Carter, Agnieszka Kemper, Fernando Monteiro, Sive O'Regan, Julian S
Journal of Viral Hepatitis.2024; 31(8): 490. CrossRef - A qualitative study on inner experience of self-management behavior among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in rural areas
Zi-chen Zhang, Qiu-hui Du, Hong-hong Jia, Yu-min Li, Yu-qin Liu, Shao-bo Li
BMC Public Health.2024;[Epub] CrossRef - Does type 2 diabetes duration influence the effectiveness of an aerobic exercise intervention: Results from the INTENSITY study
Amy M. Thomson, Brittany V. Rioux, Travis J. Hrubeniuk, Danielle R. Bouchard, Martin Sénéchal, Hidetaka Hamasaki
PLOS ONE.2024; 19(6): e0304341. CrossRef - Therapeutic patient education programs on diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review
Omomene Iwelomen, Jean Toniolo, Pierre-Marie Preux, Pascale Beloni, Francis Xavier Kasujja
PLOS ONE.2024; 19(6): e0299526. CrossRef - Patient-centered care in diabetes care-concepts, relationships and practice
Tsung-Tai Chen, Wei-Chih Su, Mei-I Liu
World Journal of Diabetes.2024; 15(7): 1417. CrossRef - Effectiveness of a health literacy intervention to improve diabetes outcomes in rural family medicine clinics: a randomized pragmatic trial
Laura M. Curtis, Terry C. Davis, Connie L. Arnold, Jennifer M. Gan, Jean C. McSweeney, Scott Hur, Mary J. Kwasny, Michael S. Wolf, Kristie Hadden
Health Literacy and Communication Open.2024;[Epub] CrossRef - Challenges in Insulin Therapy: Perspectives of Malaysian Diabetes Educators
Nur Shazwaniza Yahya, Zamzaliza Abdul Mulud, Ahmad Zamir Che Daud, Fauziah Ahmad
The Open Nursing Journal.2024;[Epub] CrossRef - Effectiveness of Multilevel and Multidomain Interventions to Improve Glycemic Control in U.S. Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Eli M. Falk, Erin M. Staab, Amber N. Deckard, Sofia I. Uranga, Nikita C. Thomas, Wen Wan, Andrew J. Karter, Elbert S. Huang, Monica E. Peek, Neda Laiteerapong
Diabetes Care.2024; 47(9): 1704. CrossRef - Factors associated with disease knowledge and attitude among ambulatory patients with type 2 diabetes – a multicenter study
Akinniyi A. Aje, Titilayo O. Fakeye
BMC Endocrine Disorders.2024;[Epub] CrossRef - Comparative Effects of Diabetes Self‐Management Programs on Type 2 Diabetes Clinical Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Network Meta‐Analysis
Debby Syahru Romadlon, Yu‐Kang Tu, Yang‐Ching Chen, Faizul Hasan, Rudy Kurniawan, Hsiao‐Yean Chiu
Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews.2024;[Epub] CrossRef - A pilot community-based Diabetes Prevention and Management Program for adults with diabetes and prediabetes
Ranjita Misra, Samantha Shawley-Brzoska
Journal of Clinical and Translational Science.2024;[Epub] CrossRef - Simulación basada en aprendizaje experiencial en la educación en diabetes para promover la empatía hacia el paciente
María Rosario Sánchez, Freddy Contreras
Revista Digital de Postgrado.2024;[Epub] CrossRef - The current diabetes education experience: Findings of a cross-sectional survey of adults with type 2 diabetes
Kelley M. Baker, Carine M. Nassar, Neelam Baral, Michelle F. Magee
Patient Education and Counseling.2023; 108: 107615. CrossRef - 2023 update on Italian guidelines for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
Edoardo Mannucci, Riccardo Candido, Lina delle Monache, Marco Gallo, Andrea Giaccari, Maria Luisa Masini, Angela Mazzone, Gerardo Medea, Basilio Pintaudi, Giovanni Targher, Marina Trento, Giuseppe Turchetti, Valentina Lorenzoni, Matteo Monami
Acta Diabetologica.2023; 60(8): 1119. CrossRef - Mechanisms Activated in the Interaction between Peer Supporters and Peers: How do the Peer Supporters Perceive and Perform Their Role in an Intervention Targeted Socially Vulnerable People with Type 2 Diabetes: A Realist-Informed Evaluation
Stine Dandanell Garn, Charlotte Glümer, Sarah Fredsted Villadsen, Majken Lillholm Pico, Ulla Christensen, Gianpiero Greco
Health & Social Care in the Community.2023; 2023: 1. CrossRef - Fresh Start: A Comprehensive Pilot Produce Prescription Program to Improve Food Literacy and Glycemic Control in Rural, Uninsured Patients
Lauren R. Sastre, Brandon J. Stroud
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.2023;[Epub] CrossRef - Current evidence for designing self-management support for underserved populations: an integrative review using the example of diabetes
Ian Litchfield, Tim Barrett, Julian Hamilton-Shield, Theresa Moore, Parth Narendran, Sabi Redwood, Aidan Searle, Suma Uday, Jess Wheeler, Sheila Greenfield
International Journal for Equity in Health.2023;[Epub] CrossRef - Diabetes care components effectively implemented in the ASEAN health systems: an umbrella review of systematic reviews
Vannarath Te, Sokvy Ma, Ir Por, Wim Van Damme, Edwin Wouters, Josefien van Olmen
BMJ Open.2023; 13(10): e071427. CrossRef - The impact of veteran support and resources for diabetes (iNSPiRED) on diabetes distress: Results from a randomized, parallel-group trial
Mark E. Kunik, Tracy L. Evans, Israel C. Christie, Gala True, Andrea Bradford, Madhuri M. Vasudevan, Natalie E. Hundt
General Hospital Psychiatry.2023; 85: 55. CrossRef - A stepped wedge cluster randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a community leader-driven kit-based diabetes self-management education approach in improving diabetes control and care: study protocol for the DElhi Diabetes INTervention Trial (DED
Jitender Nagpal, Swapnil Rawat, Lovely Gupta, Avantika Negi, Divya Shashi Oraon
Trials.2023;[Epub] CrossRef - Family doctors’ attitudes toward peer support programs for type 2 diabetes and/or coronary artery disease: an exploratory survey among German practitioners
K. Majjouti, L. Küppers, A. Thielmann, M. Redaélli, F. Vitinius, C. Funke, I. van der Arend, L. Pilic, M. Hessbrügge, S. Stock, B. Weltermann, D. Wild
BMC Primary Care.2022;[Epub] CrossRef - From clinic to community: A randomized controlled trial of a peer support model for adults with type 2 diabetes from specialty care settings in British Columbia
Tricia S. Tang, Rowshanak Afshar, Thomas Elliott, Jason Kong, Sabrina Gill
Diabetic Medicine.2022;[Epub] CrossRef