Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
To determine the effectiveness of physical
activity interventions involving mobile applications
(apps) or trackers with automated and continuous self-monitoring
and feedback.
Design Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Data sources PubMed and seven additional databases,
from 2007 to 2020.
Study selection Randomised controlled trials in adults
(18–65 years old) without chronic illness, testing a
mobile app or an activity tracker, with any comparison,
where the main outcome was a physical activity measure.
Independent screening was conducted.
Data extraction and synthesis We conducted
random effects meta-analysis
and all effect sizes were
transformed into standardised difference in means
(SDM). We conducted exploratory metaregression
with continuous and discrete moderators identified as
statistically significant in subgroup analyses.
Main outcome measures Physical activity: daily step
counts, min/week of moderate-to-
vigorous
physical
activity, weekly days exercised, min/week of total
physical activity, metabolic equivalents.
Results Thirty-five
studies met inclusion criteria
and 28 were included in the meta-analysis
(n=7454
participants, 28% women). The meta-analysis
showed
a small-to-
moderate
positive effect on physical activity
measures (SDM 0.350, 95% CI 0.236 to 0.465, I2=69%,
T2=0.051) corresponding to 1850 steps per day (95% CI
1247 to 2457). Interventions including text-messaging
and personalisation features were significantly more
effective in subgroup analyses and metaregression.
Conclusion Interventions using apps or trackers seem
to be effective in promoting physical activity. Longer
studies are needed to assess the impact of different
intervention components on long-term
engagement and
effectiveness.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Laranjo, L., Ding, D., Heleno, B., Kocaballi, B., Quiroz, J. C., Tong, H. L., Chahwan, B., Neves, A. L., Gabarron, E., Dao, K. P., Rodrigues, D., Neves, G. C., Antunes, M. L., Coiera, E., & Bates, D. W. (2021). Do smartphone applications and activity trackers increase physical activity in adults? Systematic review, meta-analysis and metaregression. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 55(8), 422–432.
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group