Systematic review and meta-analysis on VR for Type 2 Diabetes management

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Journal of medical systems Published May 13, 2026 Medically reviewed May 13, 2026 Study authors: Leng Mengyuan, Tang Shiying, Gan Chenxin, Xu Jingjing, Luo Dan PubMed ↗ DOI ↗ By Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease

Key Takeaway

Consider VR as a potential alternative for diabetes management, but recognize evidence does not show superior efficacy over traditional methods.

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of virtual reality-based physical activity and self-management interventions for adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The review synthesized data from 1,005 adults, comparing immersive or interactive VR programs to traditional approaches such as routine care or in-person programs.

The primary finding was a significant decrease in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels post-intervention. The pooled effect size was a mean difference of -0.50 (95% CI: -0.92 to -0.08, p = 0.02). Secondary outcomes included behavioral outcomes, enhanced adherence, accessibility, and reduced spatiotemporal constraints.

The authors acknowledged key limitations, including inconsistent results in the original research. They noted that VR-based interventions did not demonstrate superior efficacy to traditional methods for glycemic control or behavioral outcomes. The field requires more rigorously designed RCTs and systematic exploration of VR implementation protocols.

Practice relevance is cautious, positioning VR as a viable alternative due to enhanced adherence and accessibility. However, the evidence does not support claims of superior efficacy over traditional methods.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

Follow-up5.5 mo

PublishedMay 2026

PMID42120771

View Original Abstract ↓

A growing body of original research has recently investigated virtual reality (VR)-based interventions for physical activity and self-management, yet yielded inconsistent results. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of VR-based physical activity and self-management interventions in improving glycemic control and modifying health-related behaviors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 10 studies involving 1,005 adults with T2DM were included, comprising 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 1 non-randomized controlled trial (nRCT), and 4 self-controlled before-after studies. Of these, participants in the intervention groups received VR-based interventions, including immersive or interactive VR programs for diabetes self-management education or physical activity promotion, with most intervention durations ranging from 8 to 24 weeks. Control groups received traditional approaches, including routine care, in-person diabetes self-management programs, and content-equivalent 2D websites. The pre-post intervention analysis revealed that glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels decreased significantly post-intervention (mean difference (MD) = -0.50, 95% CI: -0.92 to -0.08, p = 0.02). While VR-based physical activity and self-management interventions did not demonstrate superior efficacy to traditional intervention methods in glycemic control or behavioral outcomes, their unique advantages - including enhanced adherence, greater accessibility, and reduced spatiotemporal constraints - position them as a viable alternative for diabetes management. Nevertheless, the field requires more rigorously designed RCTs to establish efficacy and a systematic exploration of VR implementation protocols to maximize therapeutic benefits.