Effectiveness of web-based and mobile health interventions designed to enhance adherence to physical activity for people with inflammatory arthritis: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective The aim of this systematic review was to assess the evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCT) and cohort studies for the effectiveness of digital interventions designed to enhance adherence to physical activity (PA) for people with inflammatory arthritis (IA) and describe the intervention content using established coding criteria. Methods Six electronic databases were searched for published and unpublished studies. Independent data extraction and quality assessment (Cochrane risk of bias II or ROBIN I) were conducted by two reviewers. The primary outcome was self-reported adherence to PA post-intervention. Secondary outcomes included self-reported adherence to PA at other timepoints, level of PA or engagement with intervention at any follow-up timepoint. Intervention content was assessed using the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template and the Behaviour Change Techniques taxonomy version 1. Results From 11,136 reports, four moderate risk of bias studies (three RCTs, one cohort study) including 1,160 participants with rheumatoid arthritis or juvenile inflammatory arthritis were identified. Due to heterogeneity of outcomes, a narrative synthesis was conducted. Only one RCT reported a small between group difference in adherence to PA [mean difference (95% confidence intervals) -0.46 (-0.82. -0.09)] in favour of the intervention. There were no between group differences in any secondary outcomes. Interventions included between 3–11 behaviour change techniques but provided minimal exercise prescription information. Conclusion There is currently limited moderate quality evidence available to confidently evaluate the effect of web-based and mobile health interventions on adherence to PA or level of PA post intervention in people with IA.

The challenge of exercise (non-)adherence: a scoping review of methods and techniques applied to improve adherence to physical activity and exercise in people with inflammatory arthritis

“…Search terms included adapted MeSH, keyword and wild card terms located in the title or abstract that reflected disease and outcome (e.g. adherence/compliance to physical activity/exercise) taken from two previous systematic reviews on a similar topic of interest [ 19 , 29 ] (see Supplementary Data S2 , available at Rheumatology Advances in Practice online, for full search strategy). Studies were retrieved by searching electronic databases [MEDLINE, PsychINFO, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)].…”

Physical activity in rheumatoid arthritis—is it time to push the pace of change?

“…They provide examples of how they have adapted PA through their lives and how they coped with the challenge of maintaining PA participation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although remotely delivered PA interventions are promising [ 16 ], evidence of effectiveness is limited [ 18 , 19 ], and a personalized, person-centred approach to development of PA interventions that is guided by patient experience is needed.…”

Smartphone Apps Targeting Physical Activity in People With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Systematic Quality Appraisal and Content Analysis (Preprint)

“…The following app characteristics were extracted: app name, platform, version, developer, stakeholder involvement in app development, size, star rating, number of installs, privacy policy statements, and medical product status. The availability of published trials evaluating app efficacy or effectiveness was checked on developer websites and by searching electronic databases (last search in June 2019) using the search strategy described in our systematic review to synthesize the evidence for the effectiveness of mobile apps designed to enhance adherence to PA for people with inflammatory arthritis (PROSPEROCRD42019129341) [32]. In addition, searches in Google, Google Scholar, and PubMed were undertaken using the app name as a search term.…”