. 2009 Sep 9;2:155–163.

Table 2.

Randomized controlled trails of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in patients with type 2 diabetes not using insulin: study characteristics

Study	Duration	Treatment arm		Number of patients

		Intervention	Control	Intervention/Control
Schwedes⁹,¹⁰	24 weeks	SMBG 6 times a day (pre- and 1 hour postprandial values), 2 days a week (1 week day and Sunday) Documentation of eating habits Documentation of state of well-being Patients were explained that combined information allowed them to make diet and lifestyle changes in order to improve glycemic control counseling to increase self-perception, to promote self-reflection and to enhance self-regulation Therapy adjustment?	Nonstandardized counseling with a focus on diet and lifestyle Therapy adjustment?	113/110
Farmer¹¹–¹³	12 months	1. Less intensive SMBG 3 times a day (1 fasting and 2 pre- or postprandial values), 2 days a week Strive for preprandial glucose concentrations of 4–6 mmol/l and postprandial 6–8 mmol/L A diary was used to record goals, activities, and blood glucose results No information about how to interpret glucose values was given Therapy adjustment? 2. More intensive In addition to ‘1. less intensive’: Training and support in timing, interpretation and using results also to enhance motivation and maintain adherence to diet, physical activity and drug regimens Encouragement to experiment with SMBG to explore the effects of specific activity Therapy adjustment?	HbA_1c every 3 months A diary was used to record self-care goals and strategies for achieving them Usual (standardized) care Information about eating and physical activity Therapy adjustment?	150/151/152
Allen¹⁶	6 months	SMBG before meals every other day, at least 36 times a month Strive for glucose concentrations <7.7 mmol/L fasting and <8.8 mmol/L before lunch and dinner Algorithm to adjust blood glucose-lowering treatment Instructed by dietician about diet, fiber intake, ideal bodyweight, activity level	Urine testing before meals every other day, at least 36 times a month Strive for negative urine checks Algorithm to adjust blood glucose-lowering treatment. Instructed by dietician about diet, fiber intake, ideal body weight, activity level	27/27
Davidson¹⁷	6 months	SMBG before and between 1–2 hours after meals during 6 days a week; 2 times breakfast, 2 times supper and 2 times dinner Record meals 5 visits to dietician; education about meal size and components on rise of postprandial glucose values Strive for glucose concentrations <7.15 mmol/L Algorithm to adjust blood glucose-lowering treatment	Visits to dietician; education about meal size and components on rise of postprandial glucose values Algorithm to adjust blood glucose-lowering treatment	43/45
Fontbonne¹⁸	6 months	SMBG twice every other day; fasting and 2 hours after dinner and on Sundays after lunch Consulting physician was allowed to adjust therapy	1. Urine testing twice every other day; fasting and 2 hours after dinner and on Sundays after lunch Consulting physician was allowed to adjust therapy 2. Every 2 months HbA_1c testing with physician’s comment about metabolic control to patient Consulting physician was allowed to adjust therapy	68/72/68
Guerci¹⁹	24 weeks	SMBG at least 6 times a week on 3 different days including a weekend day. Dietary advice about ideal bodyweight. Walking was encouraged as a form of exercise Therapy adjustment?	HbA_1c every 12 weeks Dietary advice about ideal body weight Walking was encouraged as a form of exercise Therapy adjustment?	345/344
Muchmore²⁰	44 weeks	SMBG: first 4 weeks: 6 times daily (pre- and 2 hour postprandial values) Next 16 weeks: 2 times daily (pre- and 2 hour postprandial values). Last 24 weeks: individual choice Strive for a postprandial increase of 2.2–3.9 mmol/L with, if necessary, adjustment of carbohydrate quantity and quality or change in exercise timing or intensity Education about carbohydrate counting Received behavioral weight program (90 min a week during the first 8 weeks). In addition, there were 3 and 4 sessions with a dietician and diabetes nurse, respectively Goal was to lose 0.5–1.0 kg a week Therapy adjustment?	Received general information about nutrition Received behavioral weight program (90 min a week during the first 8 weeks). In addition there were 3 and 4 sessions with a dietician and diabetes nurse, respectively Goal was to lose 0.5–1.0 kg a week Therapy adjustment?	12/11
O’Kane²¹	12 months	SMBG 8 times a week; 4 fasting and 4 postprandial values Received advice on interpretation and appropriate (lifestyle) responses to high or low readings Educational program 3-month visits with doctor, diabetes nurse, and dietician Algorithm to adjust blood glucose-lowering treatment	Educational program Every 3 months visits with doctor, diabetes nurse, and dietician Algorithm to adjust blood glucose-lowering treatment	96/88
Barnett¹⁴	27 weeks	SMBG 5 times a day (before each meal, 2 hours after the main meal and before bedtime), 2 days a week (1 working and 1 nonworking day). Once a month postprandial measurements after each meal Diet and lifestyle advice Diary was used to record symptoms of hypoglycemia and actions taken Algorithm to adjust blood glucose-lowering treatment	Diet and lifestyle advice Diary was used to record symptoms of hypoglycemia and actions taken Algorithm to adjust blood glucose-lowering treatment	311/299