Addressing Emotional Well-being in Diabetes Management: A Review of Telemedicine Psychological Interventions in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Background: Diabetes, is a global health challenge, with negative effects on a patient’s emotional well-being. This psychological problem is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, yet adversely affect self-management, glycemic outcomes, and overall quality of life. Aim: To synthesize clinical evidence on telemedicine interventions in improving emotional well-being of individuals with Type 2 diabetes. Methods: Keyword searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library was conducted. The search was limited from January 2015 to January 2025. Results: A total of 25 articles were included for the qualitative synthesis of the role of telemedicine interventions in supporting the emotional well-being of T2DM patients.The central finding from the reviewed literature is that the impact of telemedicine on mental health outcomes is highly variable and largely dependent on the intervention’s design and components. Interventions that incorporate structured psychosocial components, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or motivational interviewing, and involving human support from healthcare professionals, report greater success in reducing depressive symptoms and diabetes distress compared to standard care or fully automated tools. Conclusion: Telemedicine offers a promising, scalable approach to provide emotional support in diabetes care. As digital health technologies become more accessible, their thoughtful implementation can significantly improve both psychological and clinical outcomes, contributing to more holistic, patient-centered management of Type 2 diabetes.