Telehealth effectiveness for glycaemic control of older adults with Type 2 diabetes: An integrative review.

This review aimed to highlight the relevance of telehealth in improving glycaemic control among older adults living with diabetes. Articles published between 2015 and 2025 across Ovid MEDLINE database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) database, Scopus Cochrane Library and Ovid Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE) were reviewed by two authors. The methodological quality of the studies was appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skill Programme (CASP) framework. In total, nine articles were reviewed and analysed to answer two research questions (3.5 and 3.7). The effectiveness of telehealth and digital interventions in supporting older adults with diabetes were highlighted and grouped into four themes: Digital self-monitoring and telehealth in diabetes management, technology-enabled exercise and lifestyle interventions, telehealth-based psychosocial interventions and effectiveness of telemedicine and remote care. Barriers such as limited digital literacy, privacy concerns, and insufficient technical skills continue to restrict widespread adoption of telehealth for the management of older people living with diabetes. Telehealth and digital tools can complement traditional diabetes care for older adults who have limited access to in-person diabetes services. However, optimising outcomes for older people require a focus on digital literacy, equitable access, and age-friendly diabetes telehealth services.