The effectiveness of digital physical activity interventions in older adults: a systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis
Abstract Background Physical activity is important for healthy ageing, however most older adults are inactive. Numerous reviews with a range of inclusion criteria have been conducted on digital interventions to promote physical activity in older adults, and a synthesis of these is needed. Therefore,...
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| Format: | Article |
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-024-01694-4 |
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| author | Stephanie J. Alley Kim M. Waters Felix Parker D. L. I. H. K. Peiris Samantha Fien Amanda L. Rebar Corneel Vandelanotte |
| author_facet | Stephanie J. Alley Kim M. Waters Felix Parker D. L. I. H. K. Peiris Samantha Fien Amanda L. Rebar Corneel Vandelanotte |
| author_sort | Stephanie J. Alley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Physical activity is important for healthy ageing, however most older adults are inactive. Numerous reviews with a range of inclusion criteria have been conducted on digital interventions to promote physical activity in older adults, and a synthesis of these is needed. Therefore, the objective of this study is to conduct an umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis on the effectiveness of digital interventions to promote physical activity in older adults. Methods Nine databases were searched from January 2010 to December 2023. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of primary studies using digital physical activity interventions to target healthy older adults or clinical populations of older adults with a self-reported or device measured physical activity outcome were eligible for inclusion. Results In total, 22 systematic reviews and meta-analyses covering 185 primary research papers were eligible for inclusion. The total number of participants across all primary studies was 28,198. Most (21, 95%) reviews and meta-analyses were rated as having a low or critically low AMSTAR-2 confidence rating. Of the 22 included systematic reviews, 13 (59%) conducted a meta-analysis and 10 (45%) conducted a narrative synthesis. Most systematic reviews with a narrative synthesis found strong evidence for a positive effect or moderate evidence for a positive effect for physical activity outcomes (7/9, 78%) and steps (3/3, 100%). The meta-meta-analysis of primary papers included in meta-analyses demonstrated a significant moderate effect for steps and a significant small effect for total PA and MVPA. The strength of effect did not vary by intervention components (activity tracker, app-based, SMS/phone, web-based, and face-to-face), population (primary or secondary prevention), control group (none, other digital intervention, or non-digital intervention), or outcome measurement (self-reported or device measured). Only 3 (14%) reviews included longer term follow up outcomes after the end of the intervention, with mixed results. Conclusions Evidence from 22 reviews and meta-analyses suggests that digital physical activity interventions are effective at increasing physical activity in older adults. Further primary research is needed in adults 65 years and over exclusively, and with longer-term follow up of physical activity outcomes. Future reviews should include a published protocol and interpret results according to risk-of-bias. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-77976e76a1474f238b52aa0c8f0236cf |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1479-5868 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity |
| spelling | doaj-art-77976e76a1474f238b52aa0c8f0236cf2025-08-20T02:40:18ZengBMCInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity1479-58682024-12-0121111210.1186/s12966-024-01694-4The effectiveness of digital physical activity interventions in older adults: a systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysisStephanie J. Alley0Kim M. Waters1Felix Parker2D. L. I. H. K. Peiris3Samantha Fien4Amanda L. Rebar5Corneel Vandelanotte6Appleton Institute, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland UniversityAppleton Institute, School of Health Medical and Applied Science, Central Queensland UniversityAppleton Institute, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland UniversityDepartment of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of KelaniyaSchool of Health Medical and Applied Science, Central Queensland UniversityArnold School of Public Health, University of South CarolinaAppleton Institute, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland UniversityAbstract Background Physical activity is important for healthy ageing, however most older adults are inactive. Numerous reviews with a range of inclusion criteria have been conducted on digital interventions to promote physical activity in older adults, and a synthesis of these is needed. Therefore, the objective of this study is to conduct an umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis on the effectiveness of digital interventions to promote physical activity in older adults. Methods Nine databases were searched from January 2010 to December 2023. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of primary studies using digital physical activity interventions to target healthy older adults or clinical populations of older adults with a self-reported or device measured physical activity outcome were eligible for inclusion. Results In total, 22 systematic reviews and meta-analyses covering 185 primary research papers were eligible for inclusion. The total number of participants across all primary studies was 28,198. Most (21, 95%) reviews and meta-analyses were rated as having a low or critically low AMSTAR-2 confidence rating. Of the 22 included systematic reviews, 13 (59%) conducted a meta-analysis and 10 (45%) conducted a narrative synthesis. Most systematic reviews with a narrative synthesis found strong evidence for a positive effect or moderate evidence for a positive effect for physical activity outcomes (7/9, 78%) and steps (3/3, 100%). The meta-meta-analysis of primary papers included in meta-analyses demonstrated a significant moderate effect for steps and a significant small effect for total PA and MVPA. The strength of effect did not vary by intervention components (activity tracker, app-based, SMS/phone, web-based, and face-to-face), population (primary or secondary prevention), control group (none, other digital intervention, or non-digital intervention), or outcome measurement (self-reported or device measured). Only 3 (14%) reviews included longer term follow up outcomes after the end of the intervention, with mixed results. Conclusions Evidence from 22 reviews and meta-analyses suggests that digital physical activity interventions are effective at increasing physical activity in older adults. Further primary research is needed in adults 65 years and over exclusively, and with longer-term follow up of physical activity outcomes. Future reviews should include a published protocol and interpret results according to risk-of-bias.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-024-01694-4DigitalTechnologyInterventionsAppsActivity trackersOlder adults |
| spellingShingle | Stephanie J. Alley Kim M. Waters Felix Parker D. L. I. H. K. Peiris Samantha Fien Amanda L. Rebar Corneel Vandelanotte The effectiveness of digital physical activity interventions in older adults: a systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Digital Technology Interventions Apps Activity trackers Older adults |
| title | The effectiveness of digital physical activity interventions in older adults: a systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis |
| title_full | The effectiveness of digital physical activity interventions in older adults: a systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | The effectiveness of digital physical activity interventions in older adults: a systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effectiveness of digital physical activity interventions in older adults: a systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis |
| title_short | The effectiveness of digital physical activity interventions in older adults: a systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis |
| title_sort | effectiveness of digital physical activity interventions in older adults a systematic umbrella review and meta meta analysis |
| topic | Digital Technology Interventions Apps Activity trackers Older adults |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-024-01694-4 |
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