scholarly journals Text Messaging Interventions for Improvement in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Youth: Systematic Review (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Ludwig ◽  
Rosie Arthur ◽  
Nicholas Sculthorpe ◽  
Hollie Fountain ◽  
Duncan S Buchan

BACKGROUND The use of text messages (short message service, SMS) to change physical activity and sedentary behavior in youth is of interest due to the need for novel, more effective intervention approaches. Previous reviews have examined a variety of technology-based interventions and their impact on different health behaviors, but evidence regarding the impact of just SMS on physical activity and sedentary behavior is lacking. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and use of theory of SMS interventions for improving physical activity and sedentary behavior in youth. METHODS Authors systematically searched electronic databases from March to November 2017. Citations were sifted using additional reviewers, and a qualitative synthesis of eligible studies was conducted using piloted data extraction forms. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to be of a randomized controlled or quasi-experimental design, incorporate SMS, involve adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 years, and assess at least one physical activity or sedentary behavior outcome. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias tool. RESULTS A total of 13 studies reporting 11 interventions were included in the qualitative analysis. Studies included interventions that were conducted in schools, online, or face-to-face. Studies were of high heterogeneity with regard to study duration, participant characteristics, intervention content, and outcome measures. Findings were equivocal with regard to intervention effectiveness for physical activity and sedentary behavior. Overall, 7 interventions resulted in an improvement for physical activity and 6 for sedentary behavior. All studies were judged to be of high risk of bias for at least 1 item. CONCLUSIONS Some studies in this review showed promising results for using SMS to improve physical activity and sedentary behavior in youth. High heterogeneity of design and outcome measures precluded data pooling and conclusions as to which specific intervention elements are linked to increased effectiveness cannot be drawn. The authors propose incorporating the following elements in future studies: specific focus on desired health behavior; mixed-methods design; include long-term follow-up; include self-monitoring, goal setting, and feedback; combine SMS with a mobile app; and send 3 or more SMS text messages per week. More rigorous studies are needed to explore the relationship between intervention effectiveness and specific intervention components such as content and delivery.

2020 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2020-102892
Author(s):  
Liliana Laranjo ◽  
Ding Ding ◽  
Bruno Heleno ◽  
Baki Kocaballi ◽  
Juan C Quiroz ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of physical activity interventions involving mobile applications (apps) or trackers with automated and continuous self-monitoring and feedback.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesPubMed and seven additional databases, from 2007 to 2020.Study selectionRandomised 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 synthesisWe 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 measuresPhysical activity: daily step counts, min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, weekly days exercised, min/week of total physical activity, metabolic equivalents.ResultsThirty-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.ConclusionInterventions 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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (28_suppl) ◽  
pp. 320-320
Author(s):  
Pamela Ginex ◽  
Haya Waseem ◽  
Kapeena Sivakumaran ◽  
Sarah Lagler-Clark ◽  
Nicole Palmer ◽  
...  

320 Background: The increase in patients receiving oral oncolytics requires oncology health care professionals to have processes and interventions that support patient adherence. Because adherence to oral oncolytics is a priority for achieving optimal outcomes, the ASCO QOPI Standards emphasize the need to assess for adherence at meaningful intervals as well as implement interventions to promote adherence. Technology-based interventions have the potential to assess and support adherence. The objective of this review is to evaluate the overall effect of any technology-based intervention, as well as compare the use of interactive technology rather than non-interactive technology to improve oral oncolytic adherence. This review will serve as the evidence base for a clinical practice guideline on oral oncolytic adherence. Methods: A medical librarian searched EMBASE, PubMed, and CINAHL for comparative studies published in English from January 2000 to May 2021. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts, and eligible full text articles independently and in duplicate using Covidence. When possible, quantitative findings were pooled in a meta-analysis. Risk of bias assessment for randomized controlled trials was done using the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias 2.0 tool and for observational studies, the ROBINS-I instrument was used. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. Results: Out of 663 studies, we identified 14 as eligible for analysis. Of the six RCTs (n = 737) that compared any technological intervention to no intervention, there was some heterogeneity across interventions (e.g., text messaging, mobile app, computer program) and reported outcome measures for adherence, including adherence rates, relative dose intensity (RDI), and number of weeks adherent. Patients using any technology rather than no technology may have higher adherence rates (MD: 8.81; 95% CI: 3.82, 13.81); however, there may be little effect on RDI (MD: -0.01; 95% CI: -0.04, 0.02) and number of weeks adherent (MD: -0.70; 95% CI: -1.96, 0.56), respectively. One RCT (n = 444) reported on adolescents receiving interactive and non-interactive interventions. There may be little effect on adherence rates among patients receiving interactive technology interventions rather than non-interactive education intervention (MD: 1.5; 95% CI, −0.2, 3.2). Conclusions: Better systems of oral oncolytic care are needed to support patients and their caregivers. Technology-based interventions may improve medication adherence in cancer patients on oral oncolytics; however, we are uncertain about the impact on other measure of adherence or the superiority of interactive rather than non-interactive technology interventions. Due to inconsistency in the evidence, additional research in this area is recommended.


Author(s):  
Andrea A. Joyce ◽  
Grace M. Styklunas ◽  
Nancy A. Rigotti ◽  
Jordan M. Neil ◽  
Elyse R. Park ◽  
...  

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on US adults’ smoking and quitting behaviors is unclear. We explored the impact of COVID-19 on smoking behaviors, risk perceptions, and reactions to text messages during a statewide stay-at-home advisory among primary care patients who were trying to quit. From May–June 2020, we interviewed smokers enrolled in a 12-week, pilot cessation trial providing text messaging and mailed nicotine replacement medication (NCT04020718). Twenty-two individuals (82% white, mean age 55 years), representing 88% of trial participants during the stay-at-home advisory, completed exit interviews; four (18%) of them reported abstinence. Interviews were thematically analyzed by two coders. COVID-19-induced environmental changes had mixed effects, facilitating quitting for some and impeding quitting for others. While stress increased for many, those who quit found ways to cope with stress. Generally, participants felt at risk for COVID-19 complications but not at increased risk of becoming infected. Reactions to COVID-19 and quitting behaviors differed across age groups, older participants reported difficulties coping with isolation (e.g., feeling disappointed when a text message came from the study and not a live person). Findings suggest that cessation interventions addressing stress and boredom are needed during COVID-19, while smokers experiencing isolation may benefit from live-person supports.


Author(s):  
Tyler Prochnow ◽  
M. Renée Umstattd Meyer ◽  
Megan S. Patterson ◽  
Megan E. McClendon ◽  
Luis Gómez ◽  
...  

Despite growing health disparities in Latino populations related to lack of physical activity (PA), little is known regarding the impact of social networks on PA and sedentary behavior among a sample of Latino fathers residing in functionally rural colonias. Fathers wore accelerometers and responded to questions regarding their self-efficacy and characteristics of who they were active with most often. Fathers (n = 47) attained a mean of 73.3 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA (SD = 23.8) per day and were sedentary for a mean of 364.0 min (SD = 74.4) per day. In total, fathers reported 205 alters and significantly more family members (M = 3.60, SD = 1.64) than friends (M = 0.77, SD = 1.37). Sedentary time was positively associated with number of peers and inversely related to the number of children reported. Minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA was significantly associated with greater self-efficacy and number of family members reported. This study contributes to the evidence by further examining PA correlates of Latino fathers from functionally rural colonia communities. Additionally, this study supported both family systems theory and the socio–ecological model as it details the interpersonal and familial influences of PA behavior. Thus, supports for family activity promotion and programs which impact familial norms and activity at the family level may be particularly useful.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corina Berli ◽  
Urte Scholz

Keeping a physically active lifestyle requires consistent self-regulatory effort such as action control (e.g., continuously monitoring and evaluating a behavior in terms of one’s goals). Involving the romantic partner in interventions might be particularly effective in the long run. The present study examined the long-term and transfer effects of an action control intervention in couples using text messaging for promoting target persons’ and partners’ physical activity, anthropometric measures and physical fitness 6 months post baseline. A total of 121 overweight and obese romantic couples, randomly allocated to an intervention (n = 60; information + action control text messages) or a control group (n = 61; information only) and to participating as target person or partner, completed baseline assessments (T1). 100 couples (82.6%) completed the 6-month follow-up (T3) assessment. Primary outcomes included self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and objective MVPA and MVPA adherence using triaxial accelerometers across a diary period of 14 days after T3. Secondary outcomes included BMI, waist-to-hip circumference and physical fitness (target persons only) using a submaximal aerobic cycle test. At T3, there were no significant between-group differences between target persons and partners with regard to their objective MVPA, self-reported MVPA, BMI, waist-hip ratio or physical fitness. No significant changes in outcomes were observed from T1 to T3; however, changes in BMI from T1 to T3 between target persons and partners in the intervention group were associated. Overall, the brief 14-days action control intervention was not effective in improving target person’s physical activity, body measures and physical fitness in the long-term. Moreover, no long-term benefits for partners emerged. While brief ecological momentary interventions might be a promising tool for short-term effects, future studies are needed to test features enhancing long-term effectiveness. Associations in romantic partners’ changes suggest that dyadic interventions can be a promising approach, as changes induced in one partner may then transfer over to the other (controlled-trials.com ISRCTN15705531).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Britta Larsen ◽  
Emily D. Greenstadt ◽  
Brittany L. Olesen ◽  
Bess H. Marcus ◽  
Job Godino ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Adolescent girls report the lowest levels of physical activity (PA) of any demographic group, with rates especially low for racial/ethnic minority girls. Only 3% of Latina teens meet national PA guidelines, and these habits appear to persist into adulthood. Developing effective interventions to increase PA in Latina teens is necessary for preventing disease and reducing disparities. OBJECTIVE The study objective was to develop a mHealth PA intervention for Latina adolescents using a multi-stage iterative process based on an adaptation of the IDEAS (Integrate, DEsign, Assess, Share) framework. METHODS Development of the intervention was accomplished through three iterations: 1) feedback from a previous web-based pilot study, Niñas Saludables; 2) conducting focus groups with the target population; and, 3) vetting the final materials with a youth advisory board (YAB) comprising Latina adolescents. Based on feedback from participants in the Niñas Saludables study, plans to improve the intervention included incorporating visual social media posts and text messaging, adding a commercial wearable tracker, and revising the existing website to be primarily visual; proposed procedures and material were then refined through focus groups. Participants for focus groups (N=50) were girls age 13-18 who could speak and read in English who were recruited from local high schools and after school programs serving a high proportion of Latinos. Facilitated discussions focused on experience with PA and social media apps, and specific feedback on intervention material prototypes and possible names and logos. Materials were refined based on their feedback, then were beta tested by the YAB. YAB members (N=4) were Latinas age 13-18 who were not regularly active and were recruited via word of mouth and selected through an application process. RESULTS The focus group discussions yielded the following findings: PA preferences included walking, running and group fitness classes, while the least popular activities were running, swimming, and biking. Most participants used some form of social media, with Instagram being the most favored. Participants preferred text messages be sent no more than once a day, be personalized, and be positively worded. Focus group participants preferred an intervention directly targeting Latinas, and social media posts that were brightly colored, included girls of all body types, and provided specific tips and information. Modified intervention materials were generally perceived favorably by the YAB members, who provided suggestions for further refinements including incorporation of some Spanish phrases. CONCLUSIONS Latina teens were generally enthusiastic about an mHealth PA intervention, provided the materials were targeted specifically to them and their preferences. Through multiple iterations of development and feedback with the target population, we gained insight into the needs of Latina teens and joined with industry partners to build a viable final product.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janis Fiedler ◽  
Tobias Eckert ◽  
Kathrin Wunsch ◽  
Alexander Woll

Abstract Background: Electronic (eHealth) and mobile (mHealth) health interventions can provide a large coverage, and are promising tools to change health behavior (i.e. physical activity, sedentary behavior and healthy eating). However, the determinants of intervention effectiveness in primary prevention has not been explored yet. Therefore, the objectives of this umbrella review were to evaluate intervention effectiveness, to explore the impact of pre-defined determinants of effectiveness (i.e. theoretical foundations, behavior change techniques, social contexts or just-in-time adaptive interventions), and to provide recommendations for future research and practice in the field of primary prevention delivered via e/mHealth technology.Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library were searched for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (reviews) published between January 1990 and May 2020. Reviews reporting on e/mHealth behavior change interventions in physical activity, sedentary behavior and/or healthy eating for healthy subjects (i.e. subjects without physical or physiological morbidities which would influence the realization of behaviors targeted by the respective interventions) were included if they also investigated respective theoretical foundations, behavior change techniques, social contexts or just-in-time adaptive interventions. Included studies were ranked concerning their methodological quality and qualitatively synthesized.Results: The systematic search reveled eleven systematic reviews and meta-analyses of moderate quality. The majority of original research studies within the reviews found e/mHealth interventions to be effective, but the results showed a high heterogeneity concerning assessment methods and outcomes, making them difficult to compare. Whereas theoretical foundation and behavior change techniques were suggested to be potential positive determinants of effective interventions, the impact of social context remains unclear. None of the reviews included just-in-time adaptive interventions.Conclusion: Findings of this umbrella review support the use of e/mHealth to enhance physical activity and healthy eating and reduce sedentary behavior. The general lack of precise reporting and comparison of confounding variables in reviews and original research studies as well as the limited number of reviews for each health behavior constrains the generalization and interpretation of results. Further research is needed on study-level to investigate effects of versatile determinants of e/mHealth efficiency, using a theoretical foundation and additionally explore the impact of social contexts and more sophisticated approaches like just-in-time adaptive interventions.Trial registration: The protocol for this umbrella review was a priori registered with PROSPERO: CRD42020147902.


10.2196/10799 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. e10799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Ludwig ◽  
Rosie Arthur ◽  
Nicholas Sculthorpe ◽  
Hollie Fountain ◽  
Duncan S Buchan

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e000341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy J Daly-Smith ◽  
Stephen Zwolinsky ◽  
Jim McKenna ◽  
Phillip D Tomporowski ◽  
Margaret Anne Defeyter ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo examine the impact of acute classroom movement break (CMB) and physically active learning (PAL) interventions on physical activity (PA), cognition, academic performance and classroom behaviour.DesignSystematic review.Data sourcesPubMed, EBSCO, Academic Search Complete, Education Resources Information Center, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, SCOPUS and Web of Science.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesStudies investigating school-based acute bouts of CMB or PAL on (PA), cognition, academic performance and classroom behaviour. The Downs and Black checklist assessed risk of bias.ResultsTen PAL and eight CMB studies were identified from 2929 potentially relevant articles. Risk of bias scores ranged from 33% to 64.3%. Variation in study designs drove specific, but differing, outcomes. Three studies assessed PA using objective measures. Interventions replaced sedentary time with either light PA or moderate-to-vigorous PA dependent on design characteristics (mode, duration and intensity). Only one study factored individual PA outcomes into analyses. Classroom behaviour improved after longer moderate-to-vigorous (>10 min), or shorter more intense (5 min), CMB/PAL bouts (9 out of 11 interventions). There was no support for enhanced cognition or academic performance due to limited repeated studies.ConclusionLow-to-medium quality designs predominate in investigations of the acute impacts of CMB and PAL on PA, cognition, academic performance and classroom behaviour. Variable quality in experimental designs, outcome measures and intervention characteristics impact outcomes making conclusions problematic. CMB and PAL increased PA and enhanced time on task. To improve confidence in study outcomes, future investigations should combine examples of good practice observed in current studies.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017070981.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W Buford ◽  
Don G Hire ◽  
Walter T Ambrosius ◽  
Stephen D Anton ◽  
Timothy S Church ◽  
...  

Introduction: In middle-aged adults, time spent being sedentary is associated with cardiovascular (CV) health risks independent of structured physical activity (PA). However, data are sparse regarding the impact of sedentary behavior on CV risk in older adults. The extent to which the absolute duration or intensity of daily PA reduces CV risk in older adults is also unknown. Objectives: Our objective was to examine the cross-sectional association between objectively-measured sedentary behavior and predicted CV risk among older adults in the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) study. The secondary objective was to evaluate associations between the duration/intensity of daily PA and predicted CV risk. Methods: LIFE is a randomized clinical trial to determine if regular PA prevents mobility disability among mobility-limited older adults. Activity data were collected by hip-worn accelerometer at baseline prior to participation in study interventions. Only participants with at least three days of accelerometry data (≥ 10 hrs wear time) were included. Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression was used to model the relationship between accelerometry measures and predicted 10-year Framingham risk of Hard Coronary Heart Disease (HCHD; i.e. myocardial infarction or coronary death). Adjusted models included demographic confounders (e.g. education, race, income) and health parameters (e.g. depression, cognition, arthritis) not in the risk score. Accelerometry cut-points were (in counts/min): sedentary behavior: < 100; low-intensity activity: 100-499; higher intensity activity: > 500. Results: Participants (n = 1170; 78.7 ± [SD] 5.3 years; 66.1% female) had a median HCHD risk of 10.3% (25 th -75 th %: 5.7-18.6). Over a mean accelerometer wear time of 8.1 ± 3.2 days, participants spent 77.0 ± 8.2% of their time sedentary. They also spent 16.6 ± 5.0% of their time in low-intensity PA and 6.4 ± 4.4% in higher-intensity PA. For all PA performed (> 100 counts/min), participants achieved a median of 393.4 (337.8-473.5) counts/min. In the unadjusted model, time spent sedentary (β = 2.41; 95% CI : 1.94, 2.89), in low-intensity PA (-2.56; -3.03, -2.08), and in higher-intensity PA (-1.60; -2.09, -1.11) were all associated with HCHD risk (all p’s < 0.001). These associations remained significant after adjustment. The mean intensity of daily PA was not significantly associated with HCHD risk in any model (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Daily time spent being sedentary is positively associated with predicted 10-year HCHD risk among mobility-limited older adults. Duration, but not mean intensity, of daily PA is inversely associated with HCHD risk score in this population.


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