JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Research on whether wearable devices and application intervention can effectively prevent metabolic syndrome (MetS) by increasing Physical Activity (PA) among middle-aged people living in the rural areas of South Korea remains insufficient.

Objective:

This study aimed to determine whether mobile and wearable device interventions can improve health indicators, including PA, in MetS risk groups in rural South Korea.

Methods:

In this clinical trial, conducted for 6 months from December 2019 to June 2020, participants were using a wearable device (Galaxy watch Active1, Korea) and mobile application (YONSEI HEALTH, Korea). Clinical measures and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) scores were evaluated initially and after 6 months. The number of steps was monitored through the device website. The purpose of the study was twofold: (1) to compare changes in clinical measures and PA changes during 6 months between the enhanced intervention group that received active intervention through mobile applications and wearable devices, and the standard intervention group that did not receive any intervention, (2) to determine whether the reduction of risk factors in MetS can be related to objectively measured changes in PA.

Results:

Of the 221 participants, 113 were in the enhanced intervention and 108 in the standard intervention group. After 6 months, the body weight and body mass index (BMI) for the enhanced intervention group decreased by 0.6±1.87 and 0.21±0.76, respectively (p<0.05). The total PA was lower following standard intervention, compared to the enhanced intervention group, which increased their PA about 2.8 times (44.47±224.85 vs. 124.36±570.0). Moreover, the enhanced intervention group achieved the recommended level of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), whereas the standard intervention group did not (188min/wk vs. 118min/wk). Additionally, in the enhanced intervention group, the number of subjects who met 10,000 steps or more after the intervention increased by 17 [from 9 (8.0%) to 26 (23.1%), p<0.05], whereas the standard intervention group increased by 8 (7.4%).

Conclusions:

PA monitoring and intervention using wearable devices were effective in preventing MetS in a rural cohort. Blood pressure, waist circumference, and HbA1c level were improved in both intervention groups, and they were effective in reducing MetS factors. However, only the enhanced intervention group continuously increased their MVPA and step counts above the recommended level to prevent metabolic syndrome. As a result, body weight and BMI were further improved. Clinical Trial: KCT0005783