key: cord-0714224-3t0he4t0
authors: McGarrigle, Lisa; Todd, Chris
title: Promotion of Physical Activity in Older People Using mHealth and eHealth Technologies: Rapid Review of Reviews
date: 2020-12-29
journal: J Med Internet Res
DOI: 10.2196/22201
sha: d220349ec738898f93679139f0bd1a3ed7afaebd
doc_id: 714224
cord_uid: 3t0he4t0

BACKGROUND: Older people are at increased risk of adverse health events because of reduced physical activity. There is concern that activity levels are further reduced in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as many older people are practicing physical and social distancing to minimize transmission. Mobile health (mHealth) and eHealth technologies may offer a means by which older people can engage in physical activity while physically distancing. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the evidence for mHealth or eHealth technology in the promotion of physical activity among older people aged 50 years or older. METHODS: We conducted a rapid review of reviews using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. We searched for systematic reviews published in the English language in 3 electronic databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, and Scopus. Two reviewers used predefined inclusion criteria to select relevant reviews and extracted data on review characteristics and intervention effectiveness. Two independent raters assessed review quality using the AMSTAR-2 tool. RESULTS: Titles and abstracts (n=472) were screened, and 14 full-text reviews were assessed for eligibility. Initially, we included 5 reviews but excluded 1 from the narrative as it was judged to be of critically low quality. Three reviews concluded that mHealth or eHealth interventions were effective in increasing physical activity. One review found that the evidence was inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: There is low to moderate evidence that interventions delivered via mHealth or eHealth approaches may be effective in increasing physical activity in older adults in the short term. Components of successful interventions include self-monitoring, incorporation of theory and behavior change techniques, and social and professional support.

Outcomes did not meet inclusion criteria -The majority of studies included (10 out of 12) focus on outcomes other than physical activity (e.g. nutrition and weight-loss). Two papers with physical activity outcomes were not analysed independently. Alharbi, M., Straiton, N., Smith, S., Neubeck, L., & Gallagher, R. (2019) . Data management and wearables in older adults: A systematic review. Maturitas, 124, 100-110.

Outcomes did not meet inclusion criteria -Did not clearly address the effectiveness of wearable devices on physical activity outcomes in older people. Outcomes did not meet inclusion criteria -Studies included focused on the ability of the technology to measure/track activity patterns. The review did not focus on effectiveness of the technology on physical activity.

Intervention did not meet inclusion criteria -The primary intervention was exergaming