Abstract
Background:
Digital health interventions to manage chronic conditions have large potential. However, the benefits and harms are still questioned.
Objective:
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the benefits and harms of digital health interventions in promoting physical activity in people with chronic conditions.
Objective:
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the benefits and harms of digital health interventions in promoting physical activity in people with chronic conditions.
Methods:
We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and CENTRAL from the inception to Oct. 2021. Eligible RCTs were included if they used a digital component in physical activity promotion in adults with one or more conditions: depression or anxiety, ischemic heart disease or heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, knee or hip osteoarthritis, hypertension, or type 2 diabetes. The primary outcomes were objectively measured physical activity and physical function (e.g., walk or step tests). We used a random-effects model (REML) for the meta-analyses and meta-regressions analyses to assess the impact of study-level covariates. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2, and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using GRADE.
Results:
Of 10 967 hits, 99 RCTs were included. Compared to usual care/minimal intervention, digital health interventions increased objectively measured physical activity in the short-term (SMD 0.33, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.43) and long-term (SMD 0.21, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.38), but not physical function (short-term: SMD 0.26, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.59, long-term: SMD 0.35; 95% CI -0.03 to 0.73). Secondary outcomes favored the digital interventions for subjectively measured physical activity and physical function, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the short-term. The risk of non-serious adverse events, but not serious, was higher in the digital interventions in the short-term.
Conclusions:
Digital health interventions improved physical activity across various chronic conditions, while short-term effects on physical function, depression, and HRQOL were observed. Future studies should compare the effects of different digital solutions. Clinical Trial: PROSPERO CRD42020189028.
Digital health interventions to manage chronic conditions have large potential. However, the benefits and harms are still questioned.
Objective:
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the benefits and harms of digital health interventions in promoting physical activity in people with chronic conditions.
Objective:
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the benefits and harms of digital health interventions in promoting physical activity in people with chronic conditions.
Methods:
We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and CENTRAL from the inception to Oct. 2021. Eligible RCTs were included if they used a digital component in physical activity promotion in adults with one or more conditions: depression or anxiety, ischemic heart disease or heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, knee or hip osteoarthritis, hypertension, or type 2 diabetes. The primary outcomes were objectively measured physical activity and physical function (e.g., walk or step tests). We used a random-effects model (REML) for the meta-analyses and meta-regressions analyses to assess the impact of study-level covariates. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2, and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using GRADE.
Results:
Of 10 967 hits, 99 RCTs were included. Compared to usual care/minimal intervention, digital health interventions increased objectively measured physical activity in the short-term (SMD 0.33, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.43) and long-term (SMD 0.21, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.38), but not physical function (short-term: SMD 0.26, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.59, long-term: SMD 0.35; 95% CI -0.03 to 0.73). Secondary outcomes favored the digital interventions for subjectively measured physical activity and physical function, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the short-term. The risk of non-serious adverse events, but not serious, was higher in the digital interventions in the short-term.
Conclusions:
Digital health interventions improved physical activity across various chronic conditions, while short-term effects on physical function, depression, and HRQOL were observed. Future studies should compare the effects of different digital solutions. Clinical Trial: PROSPERO CRD42020189028.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 12. Feb 2023 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 12. Feb 2023 |