JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Corporate wellness programs are increasingly utilizing digital technologies to promote employee health. Digital wellness programs (DWPs) refer to initiatives that deliver health interventions through digital tools. Despite a growing body of evidence on DWPs, the literature remains fragmented across multiple domains and disciplines.

Objective:

This study aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of existing research on the efficacy and acceptability of DWPs targeting employees. Specifically, we aim to map the extent, range, and nature of research on this topic, summarize key findings, identify gaps, and facilitate knowledge dissemination.

Methods:

We conducted a scoping meta-review of studies published between January 2000 and December 2023. Inclusion criteria consisted of (1) review articles; (2) publications in English, French, or German; (3) studies reporting on digital health interventions implemented in organizations; and (4) studies reporting on non-clinical or pre-clinical employee populations. We performed a descriptive numerical summary and thematic analysis of the included studies.

Results:

Out of 593 non-duplicate studies screened, 29 met the inclusion criteria. The most investigated health domains included mental health (n=19), physical activity (n=8), weight management (n=6), unhealthy behavior change (n=4), and sleep management (n=2). Twenty-four reviews focused on the efficacy of DWPs, primarily in relation to health-related outcomes (eg, stress, weight), while fewer addressed organization-related outcomes (eg, burnout, absenteeism). Four reviews explored the mechanisms of action, and three assessed the acceptability of DWPs using various measures. Overall, the findings support the efficacy and acceptability of DWPs, though significant gaps persist, particularly regarding the durability of outcomes, the role of technology, and the causal mechanisms underlying behavior change.

Conclusions:

While DWPs show promise across a variety of health domains, several aspects of their effectiveness remain underexplored. Organizational practitioners should capitalize on existing evidence of successful DWPs while acknowledging the limitations in the literature.