JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Physical activity mobile applications (apps) present a unique medium to disseminate scalable interventions to increase levels of physical activity. However, the effectiveness of mobile apps has previously been limited by low levels of engagement. Pre-existing online social networking platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) afford high levels of popularity, reach and sustained engagement, and thus may present an innovative strategy to enhance the engagement, and ultimately the effectiveness of mobile apps.

Objective:

To comparatively examine the effectiveness of, and engagement with, interventions that incorporate physical activity mobile apps in conjunction with, and without pre-existing online social networks (e.g., Facebook, Twitter).

Methods:

A systematic review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Guidelines. A systematic search of the following databases was conducted: Medline, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and Scopus. According to the comparative objective of the current review, two independent literature searches were conducted. The first incorporated terms related to apps and physical activity; the second also incorporated terms related to online social networking.

Results:

A total of 16 studies were identified, 11 incorporated a physical activity app alone, and 5 incorporated an app in conjunction with a pre-existing online social network. Overall, 11 of the 16 interventions were effective in improving one or more physical activity behaviours. Specifically, improvements in physical activity behaviours were reported in 8 of the 11 interventions incorporating physical activity apps alone, and in 3 of the 5 interventions incorporating physical activity apps in conjunction with pre-existing online social networking. Interventions incorporating physical activity apps alone demonstrated a decline in app engagement. In contrast, the physical activity apps in conjunction with pre-existing online social networking interventions showed increased and sustained intervention engagement.

Conclusions:

The interventions incorporating physical activity mobile apps in conjunction with pre-existing online social networking demonstrated effectiveness in modifying physical activity behaviours, and achieved higher levels of engagement than interventions without pre-existing online social networking. This review provides preliminary evidence that pre-existing online social networks may be a strategy to increase engagement with physical activity interventions. Clinical Trial: PROSPERO CRD42018106456