Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30920379›Full record

ArticleJMIR mHealth and uHealth2019

Efficacy of a Mobile Social Networking Intervention in Promoting Physical Activity: Quasi-Experimental Study.

Huong Ly Tong, Enrico Coiera, William Tong, Ying Wang, Juan C Quiroz, Paige Martin, Liliana Laranjo

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 22 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
22citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

22 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  12. What Works Best to Engage Participants in Mobile App Interventions and e-Health: A Scoping Review.Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association · 2022
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  14. Effectiveness of Social Media-Based Interventions for the Promotion of Physical Activity: Scoping Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Huong Ly TongCentre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-8462-0105
Enrico CoieraCentre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-6444-6584
William TongCentre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-0074-1189
Ying WangCentre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-8537-3954
Juan C QuirozCentre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-0241-5376
Paige MartinCentre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-6157-4740
Liliana LaranjoCentre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-1020-3402

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTechnological interventions such as mobile apps, Web-based social networks, and wearable trackers have the potential to influence physical activity; yet, only a few studies have examined the efficacy of an intervention bundle combining these different technologies.

objectiveThis study aimed to pilot test an intervention composed of a social networking mobile app, connected with a wearable tracker, and investigate its efficacy in improving physical activity, as well as explore participant engagement and the usability of the app.

methodsThis was a pre-post quasi-experimental study with 1 arm, where participants were subjected to the intervention for a 6-month period. The primary outcome measure was the difference in daily step count between baseline and 6 months. Secondary outcome measures included engagement with the intervention and system usability. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were conducted; posthoc subgroup analyses were carried out for participants with different levels of steps at baseline, app usage, and social features usage.

resultsA total of 55 participants were enrolled in the study; the mean age was 23.6 years and 28 (51%) were female. There was a nonstatistically significant increase in the average daily step count between baseline and 6 months (mean change=14.5 steps/day, P=.98, 95% CI -1136.5 to 1107.5). Subgroup analysis comparing the higher and lower physical activity groups at baseline showed that the latter had a statistically significantly higher increase in their daily step count (group difference in mean change from baseline to 6 months=3025 steps per day, P=.008, 95% CI 837.9-5211.8). At 6 months, the retention rate was 82% (45/55); app usage decreased over time. The mean system usability score was 60.1 (SD 19.2).

conclusionsThis study showed the preliminary efficacy of a mobile social networking intervention, integrated with a wearable tracker to promote physical activity, particularly for less physically active subgroups of the population. Future research should explore how to address challenges faced by physically inactive people to provide tailored advices. In addition, users' perspectives should be explored to shed light on factors that might influence their engagement with the intervention.

Indexed as

Online Social NetworkingAdultExerciseFemaleHealth PromotionHumansMaleMobile ApplicationsSedentary Behaviorexercisefitness trackersmobile appssocial networking

Identifiers

PMID30920379
PMCPMC6458538

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.