ReviewBMC geriatrics2020
Map the apps: a rapid review of digital approaches to support the engagement of older adults in strength and balance exercises.
Review in BMC geriatrics, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT05398354 (Active Retirement), which is not on this map. Cited by 35 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled 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.
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.
Active Retirement: Effects of the Application of a Training Program on the Stimulation of the Sensory Motor System
Who cites it
35 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 57 citations in OpenAlex.
- Exercise Interventions Delivered Through Telehealth to Improve Physical Functioning for Older Adults with Frailty, Cognitive, or Mobility Disability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association · 2024Pooled it
- Digital technologies to prevent falls in people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment: a rapid systematic overview of systematic reviews.Age and ageing · 2024Pooled it
- Pooled it
- The Effects of ICT-Based Interventions on Physical Mobility of Older Adults: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.International journal of clinical practice · 2023Pooled it
- Usage of the Tablet-Based "Keep On Keep Up" Digital Program and Resulting Changes in Physical Capacity and Real-World Walking in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Process Evaluation.JMIR formative research · 2026Trial
- The Effectiveness of an App-Based Fitness Program on Self-Perceived Physical Functioning in Older Adults: Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Trial
- Remote Research: Resources, Intervention Needs, and Methods in People with Diabetes and Peripheral Neuropathy.Journal of diabetes science and technology · 2023Trial
- Trial
- E-health StandingTall balance exercise for fall prevention in older people: results of a two year randomised controlled trial.BMJ (Clinical research ed.) · 2021Trial
- Developing Digital Platforms to Help Older Adults Stay Physically and Socially Active: Co-Design Study to Develop a Toolkit and Evaluate Its Impact.JMIR aging · 2026Article
- Digital Health Interventions Incorporating Behavior Change Techniques and Gamification for Bladder Health in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older: Rapid Review.Interactive journal of medical research · 2026Review
- Understanding the Prospective Acceptability of a Fall Prevention Exercise App Among Canadians Aged 50 Years and Older Living in the Community: Mixed Methods Study.JMIR formative research · 2026Article
- Article
- Designing an mHealth App to Encourage Uptake of Muscle-Strengthening Exercise in Older Adults: Co-Design Focus Group Study.JMIR aging · 2026Article
- Digital home-based physical activity promotion for older adults after total hip arthroplasty: protocol for the randomized controlled iPATH trial.BMC geriatrics · 2026Article
- Article
- Technology-Assisted Physical Activity Interventions for Older People in Their Home-Based Environment: Scoping Review.JMIR aging · 2025Article
- Effects of the Prescription of Physical Exercises Mediated by Mobile Applications on the Health of Older Adults: A Systematic Review.Geriatrics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Falls prevention in community-dwelling older adults and implementation of world falls guidelines: a call for action across Europe by the European Geriatric Medicine Society Special Interest Group on Falls and Fractures.European geriatric medicine · 2025Article
- Evaluating the Effects of Sensorimotor Training on the Physical Capacities of Older People.European journal of investigation in health, psychology and education · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundExercise interventions, particularly those targeting strength and balance, are effective in preventing falls in older people. Activity levels are generally below recommended levels and reduce with age. There is concern that exercise levels may be further reduced in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital approaches may offer a means for older people to engage in strength and balance exercises independently in their own homes. The objective of this review was to identify and evaluate existing apps and websites to support independent engagement in strength and balance exercises by older people.
methodsWe conducted a rapid review of apps and websites, following PRISMA guidelines. We searched for available apps in the Android and iOS app stores, and performed a database search (MEDLINE and EMBASE) for apps in development. We searched for websites using the Google search engine. Apps and websites were evaluated in terms of existing evidence for effectiveness, use of behaviour change techniques (BCTs), and quality.
resultsWe evaluated 13 apps and 24 websites on the basis of our selection criteria. Considering the evidence-base, quality and BCT scores, four apps and six websites are recommended for use by older people who wish to engage in exercise independently in their own homes. No apps or websites have been to RCT evaluation at the time of review.
conclusionsApps and websites have the potential to provide a convenient, cost-effective, and accessible means for many older adults to engage in strength and balance training and reduce falls risk.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
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.