The effects of step-count monitoring interventions on physical activity: systematic review and meta-analysis of community-based randomised controlled trials in adults
Abstract Background Step-count monitors (pedometers, body-worn trackers and smartphone applications) can increase walking, helping to tackle physical inactivity. We aimed to assess the effect of step-count monitors on physical activity (PA) in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) amongst community-dw...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2020-10-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12966-020-01020-8 |
| _version_ | 1818972570976780288 |
|---|---|
| author | Umar A. R. Chaudhry Charlotte Wahlich Rebecca Fortescue Derek G. Cook Rachel Knightly Tess Harris |
| author_facet | Umar A. R. Chaudhry Charlotte Wahlich Rebecca Fortescue Derek G. Cook Rachel Knightly Tess Harris |
| author_sort | Umar A. R. Chaudhry |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Step-count monitors (pedometers, body-worn trackers and smartphone applications) can increase walking, helping to tackle physical inactivity. We aimed to assess the effect of step-count monitors on physical activity (PA) in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) amongst community-dwelling adults; including longer-term effects, differences between step-count monitors, and between intervention components. Methods Systematic literature searches in seven databases identified RCTs in healthy adults, or those at risk of disease, published between January 2000–April 2020. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Outcome was mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in steps at follow-up between treatment and control groups. Our preferred outcome measure was from studies with follow-up steps adjusted for baseline steps (change studies); but we also included studies reporting follow-up differences only (end-point studies). Multivariate-meta-analysis used random-effect estimates at different time-points for change studies only. Meta-regression compared effects of different step-count monitors and intervention components amongst all studies at ≤4 months. Results Of 12,491 records identified, 70 RCTs (at generally low risk of bias) were included, with 57 trials (16,355 participants) included in meta-analyses: 32 provided change from baseline data; 25 provided end-point only. Multivariate meta-analysis of the 32 change studies demonstrated step-counts favoured intervention groups: MD of 1126 steps/day 95%CI [787, 1466] at ≤4 months, 1050 steps/day [602, 1498] at 6 months, 464 steps/day [301, 626] at 1 year, 121 steps/day [− 64, 306] at 2 years and 434 steps/day [191, 676] at 3–4 years. Meta-regression of the 57 trials at ≤4 months demonstrated in mutually-adjusted analyses that: end-point were similar to change studies (+ 257 steps/day [− 417, 931]); body-worn trackers/smartphone applications were less effective than pedometers (− 834 steps/day [− 1542, − 126]); and interventions providing additional counselling/incentives were not better than those without (− 812 steps/day [− 1503, − 122]). Conclusions Step-count monitoring leads to short and long-term step-count increases, with no evidence that either body-worn trackers/smartphone applications, or additional counselling/incentives offer further benefit over simpler pedometer-based interventions. Simple step-count monitoring interventions should be prioritised to address the public health physical inactivity challenge. Systematic review registration PROSPERO number CRD42017075810 . |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T15:10:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1faf8ab7c33f4f8b80eb5435b18c9407 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1479-5868 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T15:10:23Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity |
| spelling | doaj.art-1faf8ab7c33f4f8b80eb5435b18c94072022-12-21T19:36:21ZengBMCInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity1479-58682020-10-0117111610.1186/s12966-020-01020-8The effects of step-count monitoring interventions on physical activity: systematic review and meta-analysis of community-based randomised controlled trials in adultsUmar A. R. Chaudhry0Charlotte Wahlich1Rebecca Fortescue2Derek G. Cook3Rachel Knightly4Tess Harris5Population Health Research Institute, St George’s, University of LondonPopulation Health Research Institute, St George’s, University of LondonPopulation Health Research Institute, St George’s, University of LondonPopulation Health Research Institute, St George’s, University of LondonPopulation Health Research Institute, St George’s, University of LondonPopulation Health Research Institute, St George’s, University of LondonAbstract Background Step-count monitors (pedometers, body-worn trackers and smartphone applications) can increase walking, helping to tackle physical inactivity. We aimed to assess the effect of step-count monitors on physical activity (PA) in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) amongst community-dwelling adults; including longer-term effects, differences between step-count monitors, and between intervention components. Methods Systematic literature searches in seven databases identified RCTs in healthy adults, or those at risk of disease, published between January 2000–April 2020. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Outcome was mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in steps at follow-up between treatment and control groups. Our preferred outcome measure was from studies with follow-up steps adjusted for baseline steps (change studies); but we also included studies reporting follow-up differences only (end-point studies). Multivariate-meta-analysis used random-effect estimates at different time-points for change studies only. Meta-regression compared effects of different step-count monitors and intervention components amongst all studies at ≤4 months. Results Of 12,491 records identified, 70 RCTs (at generally low risk of bias) were included, with 57 trials (16,355 participants) included in meta-analyses: 32 provided change from baseline data; 25 provided end-point only. Multivariate meta-analysis of the 32 change studies demonstrated step-counts favoured intervention groups: MD of 1126 steps/day 95%CI [787, 1466] at ≤4 months, 1050 steps/day [602, 1498] at 6 months, 464 steps/day [301, 626] at 1 year, 121 steps/day [− 64, 306] at 2 years and 434 steps/day [191, 676] at 3–4 years. Meta-regression of the 57 trials at ≤4 months demonstrated in mutually-adjusted analyses that: end-point were similar to change studies (+ 257 steps/day [− 417, 931]); body-worn trackers/smartphone applications were less effective than pedometers (− 834 steps/day [− 1542, − 126]); and interventions providing additional counselling/incentives were not better than those without (− 812 steps/day [− 1503, − 122]). Conclusions Step-count monitoring leads to short and long-term step-count increases, with no evidence that either body-worn trackers/smartphone applications, or additional counselling/incentives offer further benefit over simpler pedometer-based interventions. Simple step-count monitoring interventions should be prioritised to address the public health physical inactivity challenge. Systematic review registration PROSPERO number CRD42017075810 .http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12966-020-01020-8Physical activityStep-count monitoringPedometersSmartphone applicationsFitness devicesSystematic review |
| spellingShingle | Umar A. R. Chaudhry Charlotte Wahlich Rebecca Fortescue Derek G. Cook Rachel Knightly Tess Harris The effects of step-count monitoring interventions on physical activity: systematic review and meta-analysis of community-based randomised controlled trials in adults International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Physical activity Step-count monitoring Pedometers Smartphone applications Fitness devices Systematic review |
| title | The effects of step-count monitoring interventions on physical activity: systematic review and meta-analysis of community-based randomised controlled trials in adults |
| title_full | The effects of step-count monitoring interventions on physical activity: systematic review and meta-analysis of community-based randomised controlled trials in adults |
| title_fullStr | The effects of step-count monitoring interventions on physical activity: systematic review and meta-analysis of community-based randomised controlled trials in adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effects of step-count monitoring interventions on physical activity: systematic review and meta-analysis of community-based randomised controlled trials in adults |
| title_short | The effects of step-count monitoring interventions on physical activity: systematic review and meta-analysis of community-based randomised controlled trials in adults |
| title_sort | effects of step count monitoring interventions on physical activity systematic review and meta analysis of community based randomised controlled trials in adults |
| topic | Physical activity Step-count monitoring Pedometers Smartphone applications Fitness devices Systematic review |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12966-020-01020-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT umararchaudhry theeffectsofstepcountmonitoringinterventionsonphysicalactivitysystematicreviewandmetaanalysisofcommunitybasedrandomisedcontrolledtrialsinadults AT charlottewahlich theeffectsofstepcountmonitoringinterventionsonphysicalactivitysystematicreviewandmetaanalysisofcommunitybasedrandomisedcontrolledtrialsinadults AT rebeccafortescue theeffectsofstepcountmonitoringinterventionsonphysicalactivitysystematicreviewandmetaanalysisofcommunitybasedrandomisedcontrolledtrialsinadults AT derekgcook theeffectsofstepcountmonitoringinterventionsonphysicalactivitysystematicreviewandmetaanalysisofcommunitybasedrandomisedcontrolledtrialsinadults AT rachelknightly theeffectsofstepcountmonitoringinterventionsonphysicalactivitysystematicreviewandmetaanalysisofcommunitybasedrandomisedcontrolledtrialsinadults AT tessharris theeffectsofstepcountmonitoringinterventionsonphysicalactivitysystematicreviewandmetaanalysisofcommunitybasedrandomisedcontrolledtrialsinadults AT umararchaudhry effectsofstepcountmonitoringinterventionsonphysicalactivitysystematicreviewandmetaanalysisofcommunitybasedrandomisedcontrolledtrialsinadults AT charlottewahlich effectsofstepcountmonitoringinterventionsonphysicalactivitysystematicreviewandmetaanalysisofcommunitybasedrandomisedcontrolledtrialsinadults AT rebeccafortescue effectsofstepcountmonitoringinterventionsonphysicalactivitysystematicreviewandmetaanalysisofcommunitybasedrandomisedcontrolledtrialsinadults AT derekgcook effectsofstepcountmonitoringinterventionsonphysicalactivitysystematicreviewandmetaanalysisofcommunitybasedrandomisedcontrolledtrialsinadults AT rachelknightly effectsofstepcountmonitoringinterventionsonphysicalactivitysystematicreviewandmetaanalysisofcommunitybasedrandomisedcontrolledtrialsinadults AT tessharris effectsofstepcountmonitoringinterventionsonphysicalactivitysystematicreviewandmetaanalysisofcommunitybasedrandomisedcontrolledtrialsinadults |