Max Western|Miranda Armstrong|Ishrat Islam|Kelly Morgan|Una Jones|Mark Kelson
The effectiveness of digital interventions for increasing physical activity in individuals of low socioeconomic status: a systematic review and meta-analysis
University of Bath|University of Bristol|Cardiff University|Cardiff University|Cardiff University|University of Exeter
abstract background digital technologies wearables websites mobile applications increasingly used interventions targeting physical activity pa increasing access technologies makes attractive prospect helping individuals low socioeconomic status ses becoming active healthier however little known effectiveness populations aim systematic review explore whether digital interventions effective promoting pa low ses populations whether interventions equal benefit higher ses individuals whether number type behaviour change techniques bcts used digital pa interventions associated intervention effects methods systematic search strategy used identify eligible studies medline embase psycinfo web science scopus cochrane library published january 1990 march 2020 randomised controlled trials using digital technology primary intervention tool control group receive digital technologybased intervention included provided measure pa outcome lastly studies measure ses excluded review risk bias assessed using cochrane risk bias tool version 2 results 14589 records initially identified 19 studies included final metaanalysis using randomeffects models low ses standardised mean difference smd 95ci pa intervention control groups 006 008020 high ses smd 034 022045 heterogeneity modest low 2 018 high 2 0 ses groups studies used range digital technologies bcts interventions main findings consistent across subgroup analyses digital interventions pa focus country chronic disease duration intervention association number type bcts discussion digital interventions targeting pa show equivalent efficacy people low high ses people low ses evidence digital pa interventions effective irrespective behaviour change techniques used contrast interventions high ses participants indicate effectiveness reduce inequalities improve effectiveness future development digital interventions aimed improving pa must make effort meet needs low ses people within target population