Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40377501›Full record

SynthesisActa paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)2025

It is Feasible for 3 to 5-Year-Old Children to Use Smartwatch Activity Trackers: A Systematic Review.

Raymond J Davey, Juliana Zabatiero, Amber Beynon, Gina Wood, Sanna Sy, Charlotte Lund Rasmussen, Danica Hendry, Sarah Stearne, Courtenay Harris, Leon Straker and 1 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
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

11 authors.

Raymond J DaveySchool of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-5651-6602
Juliana ZabatieroSchool of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Amber BeynonSchool of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Gina WoodSchool of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Sanna SySchool of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Charlotte Lund RasmussenSchool of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Danica HendrySchool of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Sarah StearneSchool of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Courtenay HarrisSchool of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Leon StrakerSchool of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Amity CampbellSchool of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Funding

Curtin School of Allied Healththe ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimThis review aimed to summarise the evidence related to the feasibility, efficacy for increasing physical activity, and implications of smartwatch activity tracker use in preschool-aged children.

methodsIn November 2023, we searched Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, ProQuest Central and SPORTDiscus. From an initial 7449 studies, we included 15 studies that explored the use of smartwatch activity trackers in preschool children aged three to 5 years. Data were extracted on feasibility, efficacy, and reported advantages and disadvantages of use. We used the preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

resultsStudies that reported adherence to wear indicate good feasibility. No studies evaluated the efficacy of activity trackers for influencing physical activity and sedentary behaviours. Potential limitations of activity tracker use by preschool children include discomfort and a loss of interest.

conclusionSmartwatch activity trackers may be feasible for use by preschool children, but no studies have explored whether these devices can increase physical activity in this age group. Short-term use of these devices may encourage physical activity by promoting family discussions and increasing awareness of physical activity, but discomfort and a loss of interest over time may be barriers to long-term use by young children.

Indexed as

ExerciseFitness TrackersChild, PreschoolFeasibility StudiesHumansphysical activitysedentary behavioursmartwatch

Identifiers

PMID40377501
PMCPMC12336951

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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.