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Digital Behavior Change Interventions to Reduce Sedentary Behavior and Promote Physical Activity in Adults with Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

  • Special Issue: Meta-Analyses and Reviews
  • Published:
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Abstract

Background

Technological advancements and ease of Internet access have increased the number of digital behavior change interventions (DBCIs). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of DBCIs in reducing sedentary behavior (SB) and promoting physical activity (PA) in adults with diabetes.

Methods

A comprehensive search of seven databases—PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Sedentary Behavior Research Database—was performed. Two reviewers independently carried out the study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and quality of evidence evaluation. Meta-analyses were performed where feasible; otherwise, narrative summaries were performed.

Results

A total of 13 randomized controlled trials with 980 participants met the inclusion criteria. Overall, DBCIs could significantly increase steps and the number of breaks in sedentary time. The subgroup analyses exhibited significant effects in DBCIs with over 10 behavior change techniques (BCTs) in improving steps, the time spent in light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The subgroup analyses showed a significant step increment in DBCIs of moderate and long durations, with over 4 BCT clusters, or in conjunction with a face-to-face component. The subgroup analyses also indicated significant effects in studies with ≥ 2 DBCI components in improving steps, the time spent in LPA and MVPA, and reducing sedentary time.

Conclusion

There is some evidence that DBCI may increase PA and reduce SB in adults with type 2 diabetes. However, more high-quality studies are required. Future studies are needed to examine the potential of DBCIs in adults with type 1 diabetes.

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Data Availability

All the data used in this study are available within the article.

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Funding

This study was funded by Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2022 University-Industry Collaborative Education Program of the Ministry of Education (No. BUCM-2022-JWC-CXY-15).

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Author notes

  1. Xiaoyan Zhang and Xue Qiao are considered as joint first authors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China

    Xiaoyan Zhang

  2. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Best Practice Spotlight Organization of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, Beijing, China

    Xiaoyan Zhang, Xue Qiao & Yufang Hao

  3. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Centre for Evidence-Based Nursing: A JBI Affiliated Group, Beijing, China

    Xiaoyan Zhang, Xue Qiao & Yufang Hao

  4. School of Nursing, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China

    Xue Qiao & Yufang Hao

  5. Department of Nursing, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, China

    Ke Peng

  6. Outpatient Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China

    Shan Gao

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  1. Xiaoyan Zhang
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Correspondence to Yufang Hao.

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Zhang, X., Qiao, X., Peng, K. et al. Digital Behavior Change Interventions to Reduce Sedentary Behavior and Promote Physical Activity in Adults with Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Int.J. Behav. Med. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-023-10188-9

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