Abstract:Objective To evaluate the effect of family participatory education on metabolicsm in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods Randomized controlled trials that assess the effectiveness of family participatory education in patients with type 2 diabetes were systematically reviewed using multiple electronic databases. Results A total of 11 randomized controlled trials were included. The meta-analysis showed that, compared with control group, family participatory education lowered glycated hemoglobin levels within 3 months [WMD?=?-0.50, (95%CI: -0.61, -0.39), P?0.001], during 3 to 6 months [WMD?=?0.57, (95% CI: 0.69, 0.45), P?0.001), and post 6 months [WMD?=?-0.49, (95% CI: -0.76, 0.21), P?0.001] (P?0.05). Further, family participatory education reduced fasting blood glucose levels [WMD?=?-17.44, (95% CI: -23.01, -11.87), P?0.001] when compared with control group. There was no statistically significant difference in levels of body mass index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein (P?>?0.05) between control group and family participatory education group. Conclusions family participatory education helps control blood glucose but exerts no obvious effect on body mass index and lipid metabolism.