14/07/2026
For National Diabetes Week, we’re looking at how technology has changed how we measure success in diabetes clinical trials.
Historically, trials relied on "snapshots." Think of it like a still photo, it tells you what happened in one exact moment but misses the big picture, such as sudden blood sugar spikes after a meal or drops overnight.
Patients had to painfully prick their fingers multiple times a day just to write down numbers.
Today, trials use a "live video" approach. By using tiny wearable sensors (CGMs), blood sugar is tracked automatically in a continuous stream all day and night with zero painful finger pricks.
Instead of looking at a single average number, researchers can now see "Time in Range" which is the exact percentage of the day a patient's blood sugar stays in a safe, healthy zone.
It’s a massive win-win: less pain and hassle for the patient, and a much clearer, complete story for the researchers!