Effectiveness of Physical Activity Interventions Utilizing Wearables and Smartphone Applications for Individuals with Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BackgroundLack of physical activity is a major risk factor for Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Wearables and smartphones offer potential advantages in cost, accessibility, and scale to change physical activity This systematic review aims to determine if interventions comprising smartphones and wearables are effective in enhancing physical activity among individuals with CVD. MethodsPubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched for RCTs, published since January 2000, on wearables and smartphone applications to enhance physical activity among CVD patients. Non-randomized trials, interventions without a smartphone/wearable component were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Meta-analyses were performed to assess the pooled effect on steps per day, distance, VO2, and (moderate-to-vigorous) physical activity in minutes per day. ResultsFourteen RCTs were included. Interventions comprising smartphones and wearables resulted in a mean difference of 1097.4 (95% CI = [409.2-1785.6]; p=0.0018) steps per day, and 3.9 (95% CI = [0.2-7.6]; p=0.0413) minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity per day compared to control groups. ConclusionThis meta-analysis showed that interventions comprising smartphones and wearable devices are effective at increasing physical activity among CVD patients. Wearables and smartphones could provide accessible and tailored interventions to enhance physical activity.