How Effective Are Interactive Social Media Interventions for Changing Health and Health Behaviors? A Cochrane Review Summary with Commentary

Abstract

This brief summarizes the published Cochrane Review, “Behavioural Interventions Delivered Through Interactive Social Media for Health Behaviour Change, Health Outcomes, and Health Equity in the Adult Population,” by J. Petkovic, S. Duench, J. Trawin, O. Dewidar, J. Pardo Pardo, R. Simeon, M. DesMeules, D. Gagnon, J. Hatcher Roberts, A. Hossain, K. Pottie, T. Rader, P. Tugwell, M. Yoganathan, J. Presseau, & V. Welch (https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012932.pub2). The Cochrane Review examines whether interactive social media interventions improve health behaviors and health outcomes, concluding that such interventions may benefit physical activity, weight loss, and well-being, but the evidence is not strong due to extensive heterogeneity and small effects. The review defines interactive social media as “activities, practices, or behaviours among communities of people who have gathered online to interactively to share information, knowledge, and opinions… in which adults are able to communicate directly with each other” (p. 1). The review and original commentary acknowledge the limitations, suggesting that future social media intervention trials use a common set of outcome measures, examine the role of mediating variables, and measure adherence. The original commentary describes other social media research that has shown an impact.