PSYCHOTHERAPY-based interventions may improve glycaemic control and support weight loss in adults with Type 2 diabetes, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The findings suggest that psychological support could play an important role in diabetes management, with improvements in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) observed within three months and reductions in body weight becoming apparent over longer follow-up periods.
Type 2 diabetes requires sustained self-management, including medication adherence, dietary changes, and regular physical activity. However, psychological distress and the emotional demands of living with diabetes can affect patients’ ability to maintain these behaviours.
Psychotherapy-based approaches, including cognitive behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing, are increasingly being incorporated into diabetes care to address these challenges.
Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 52 studies examining the effects of psychotherapy-based interventions on glycaemic control, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) in adults with Type 2 diabetes.
The primary outcomes included changes in HbA1c and anthropometric measurements following psychological interventions.
Psychotherapy-based interventions were associated with significant improvements in HbA1c, with the largest reported effect observed at three months. At this time point, the mean difference in HbA1c was −0.53 percentage points.
These findings suggest that psychological interventions may support improved glucose regulation during the early stages of treatment.
Furthermore, the researchers also identified reductions in body weight over longer follow-up periods.
At 12 months, psychotherapy-based interventions were associated with a mean difference in body weight of −3.58 kg. However, changes in BMI were less consistent across the included studies.
The researchers suggested that earlier improvements in HbA1c could reflect changes in dietary habits and diabetes self-management behaviours following psychological support, while weight reduction may require more sustained behavioural modification.
The findings highlight the potential value of addressing psychological wellbeing alongside conventional medical treatment for Type 2 diabetes. Psychotherapy may help patients manage diabetes-related distress and develop behaviours that support long-term glycaemic control.
However, the results do not establish that all psychotherapy approaches provide equivalent benefits, and it was not documented whether these improvements persisted beyond the reported follow-up periods
Further research could help identify which psychological interventions are most effective for different patient groups and how they can be integrated into routine diabetes services.
The researchers conclude that psychotherapy-based interventions may offer benefits for both glycaemic control and longer-term weight management in adults with Type 2 diabetes.
Reference
Rohilla R, Walia R. Effects of psychotherapy interventions on glycemic control and weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2026;113575. doi:10.1016/j.diabres.2026.113575.
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