Continuous glucose monitoring: 7 things to know

We’ve replaced finger sticks! Why? Besides the obvious (they are a pain), with continuous glucose monitors (CGM) we can gather more glucose data. In the MAPSS-DM project we are using the Abbott Freestyle Libre Pro CGM which measures glucose levels every 15 minutes, 24/7 for a long as 2 weeks.

Using technology like CGMs for real-time evaluation of glucose can help identify how glucose fluctuations are related to complications of diabetes, like cognitive problems. So far, the MAPSS-DM is the first study using CGM to assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive cognitive rehabilitation intervention. We think the ability to frequently assess a glucose fluctuations related to a behavioral goal is one way to provide feedback that could ultimately optimize strategies for behavior change.

Those are some of the benefits, but if you’re wearing a CGM as part of one of our projects, here are a few more things to remember:

Give your sensor room to breathe by wearing lose-fitting clothing and lightweight materials.
Consider an “overbandage” with a small hole cut in the center.
After a shower or swim, pat dry and take extra care when toweling off to avoid catching or pulling the sensor.
Slow down when dressing or undressing to be careful not to catch your clothes on the sensor.
Don’t play, pull, or touch the sensor.
If using an adhesive bandage (see #2 above), do not cover the small opening in the center of the sensor. This opening allows moisture to escape.
Participants in the research study will not be able to see their glucose results while wearing the CGM. After the sensor is sent back to the CuevasLab we will download the data and send participants their results –which they can share with their healthcare providers!