scholarly journals Promoting Physical Activity Through Conversational Agents: Mixed Methods Systematic Review (Preprint)

10.2196/25486 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany Christina Luo ◽  
Adrian Aguilera ◽  
Courtney Lyles ◽  
Caroline Astrid Figueroa
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Conversational Agents

Promoting Physical Activity Through Conversational Agents: Mixed-Method Systematic Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany Christina Luo ◽  
Adrian Aguilera ◽  
Courtney Lyles ◽  
Caroline Astrid Figueroa
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Virtual Agents ◽  
Conversational Agents ◽  
Privacy Measures

BACKGROUND Regular physical activity is crucial to wellbeing, but healthy habits are difficult to create and maintain. Interventions delivered via conversational agents (eg, chatbots or virtual agents) are a novel and potentially accessible way to promote physical activity. Thus, it is important to understand the evolving landscape of research utilizing conversational agents. OBJECTIVE This mixed-method systematic review aimed to 1) summarize the usability and effectiveness of conversational agents in promoting physical activity, 2) describe common theories and intervention components utilized, 3) identify areas for further development, and 4) make recommendations for conversational agents targeting health behavior change. METHODS We conducted a mixed-method systematic review. We searched 7 electronic databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ACM Digital Library, Scopus, and Web of Science) for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies that conveyed primary research on automated conversational agents designed to increase physical activity. Two reviewers independently screened studies and assessed methodological quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Data on intervention impact and effectiveness, treatment characteristics, and challenges were extracted and analyzed using parallel-results convergent synthesis and narrative summary. RESULTS In total, 255 studies were identified, 20 of which met our inclusion criteria. Overall, conversational agents had moderate usability and feasibility and were effective in promoting physical activity. However, quality of evidence varied. Common challenges facing interventions were repetitive program content, high attrition, technical issues, safety, and privacy. CONCLUSIONS Conversational agents hold promise for physical activity interventions. However, there is a lack of rigorous research on long-term intervention effectiveness and patient safety. Future interventions should be based in evidence-informed theories and treatment approaches, and they should address users’ desires for program variety, safety and privacy measures, natural language processing, and delivery via mobile devices. CLINICALTRIAL The protocol for this systematic review was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) registries (osf.io/p4v6y).

scholarly journals The effect of social media interventions on physical activity and dietary behaviours in young people and adults: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria A. Goodyear ◽  
Grace Wood ◽  
Bethany Skinner ◽  
Janice L. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Media Interventions

Abstract Background The objectives of this systematic review were to update the evidence base on social media interventions for physical activity and diet since 2014, analyse the characteristics of interventions that resulted in changes to physical activity and diet-related behaviours, and assess differences in outcomes across different population groups. Methods A systematic search of the literature was conducted across 5 databases (Medline, Embase, EBSCO Education, Wiley and Scopus) using key words related to social media, physical activity, diet, and age. The inclusion criteria were: participants age 13+ years in the general population; an intervention that used commercial social media platform(s); outcomes related to changes to diet/eating or physical activity behaviours; and quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies. Quality appraisal tools that aligned with the study designs were used. A mixed methods approach was used to analyse and synthesise all evidence. Results Eighteen studies were included: randomised control trials (n = 4), non-controlled trials (n = 3), mixed methods studies (n = 3), non-randomised controlled trials (n = 5) and cross-sectional studies (n = 3). The target population of most studies was young female adults (aged 18–35) attending college/university. The interventions reported on positive changes to physical activity and diet-related behaviours through increases in physical activity levels and modifications to food intake, body composition and/or body weight. The use of Facebook, Facebook groups and the accessibility of information and interaction were the main characteristics of social media interventions. Studies also reported on Instagram, Reddit, WeChat and Twitter and the use of photo sharing and editing, groups and sub-groups and gamification. Conclusions Social media interventions can positively change physical activity and diet-related behaviours, via increases in physical activity levels, healthy modifications to food intake, and beneficial changes to body composition or body weight. New evidence is provided on the contemporary uses of social media (e.g. gamification, multi-model application, image sharing/editing, group chats) that can be used by policy makers, professionals, organisations and/or researchers to inform the design of future social media interventions. This study had some limitations that mainly relate to variation in study design, over-reliance of self-reported measures and sample characteristics, that prevented comparative analysis. Registration number: PROPSERO;CRD42020210806.

scholarly journals Delivering brief physical activity interventions in primary care: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
pp. BJGP.2021.0312
Author(s):  
Louise H Hall ◽  
Rachael Thorneloe ◽  
Rocio Rodriguez-Lopez ◽  
Adam Grice ◽  
Mangesh A Thorat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Theoretical Domains Framework ◽  
System Level ◽  
World Health ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
And Training

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) brief interventions (BIs) involving screening and/or advice are recommended in primary care but frequency of delivery is unknown.AimTo examine the extent to which PA BIs are delivered in primary care, and explore factors associated with delivery, receipt, and patient receptivity.Design and settingA mixed-methods systematic review of studies conducted worldwide, with a narrative synthesis of results.MethodCINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and APA PsycINFO index databases were searched for qualitative and quantitative studies, dating from January 2012 to June 2020, that reported the level of delivery and/or receipt of PA BIs in primary care, and/or factors affecting delivery, receipt, and patient receptivity. Quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Attitudes towards and barriers to delivery were coded into the Theoretical Domains Framework and the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Behaviour model.ResultsAfter screening a total of 13 066 records, 66 articles were included in the review. The extent of PA screening and advice in primary care varied widely (2.4%–100% and 0.6%–100%, respectively). PA advice was delivered more often to patients with a higher body mass index, lower PA levels, and/or more comorbidities. Barriers — including a lack of time and training/guidelines — remain, despite recommendations from the World Health Organization and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence that PA advice should be provided in primary care. Few studies explored patients’ receptivity to advice.ConclusionPA BIs are not delivered frequently or consistently in primary care. Addressing barriers to delivery through system-level changes and training programmes could improve and increase the advice given. Understanding when patients are receptive to PA interventions could enhance health professionals’ confidence in their delivery.

scholarly journals Facilitators and barriers to implement nurse-led physical activities for people with dementia in nursing homes: a protocol for a mixed-methods systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e056353
Author(s):  
Julian Hirt ◽  
Janine Vetsch ◽  
Steffen Heinrich
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Sustainable Implementation ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers

IntroductionDementia is a major neurocognitive disorder and accounts for a great proportion of nursing home residents. Bodily symptoms such as gait, balance difficulties and muscle weakness are common in people with dementia. Physical activities are important to maintain and promote physical functioning and activities of daily living.Nurses are a prone stakeholder to deliver physical activity interventions in nursing homes. However, several barriers have been reported for implementing nurse-led physical activity programmes. Also synthesised strategies for sustainable implementation in nursing homes are lacking. We, therefore, aim to synthesise the evidence on physical activity interventions which can be led by nurses and to identify facilitators and barriers of sustainable implementation of physical activity for people with dementia.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a mixed-methods systematic review to (1) describe the characteristics of nurse-led physical activities for people with dementia living in nursing homes and to (2) determine facilitators and barriers for sustainable implementation of nurse-led physical activities for people with dementia in nursing homes. We will search four different electronic databases, do forward and backward citation tracking and will web-search additionally. We will also search through guideline databases. Two reviewers will independently screen the identified studies for their eligibility. Data extraction and critical appraisal of included studies will be performed by one reviewer and double-checked by another reviewer. We will analyse the data using an integrative mixed-method synthesis and we will summarise the findings narratively.Ethics and disseminationNo ethics approval is needed to perform this systematic review. We will publish our review results as scientific and non-scientific journal articles and we will hold an oral or a poster conference presentation. The review results will inform the development of structured and easy to understand guidance for nurses to initiate tailored physical activities for people with dementia in nursing homes.

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