Effects of media-assisted therapeutic approaches on physical activity of obese adults: a systematic review

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has trebled since 1975 [1], and poses an enormous risk of accompanying and secondary diseases to patients [2]. As a consequence, healthcare systems face substantial direct and indirect costs [3].

Main risk factors for overweight and obesity are low physical activity and high inactivity, i.e. physical activity with decent intensity under the recommended 150 min/week [4, 5].

There are many different therapeutic approaches used all over the world to reduce patients’ individual burdens and costs for health care systems [6, 7]. According to international guidelines of obesity treatment, all stationary and ambulatory therapeutic approaches aim to increase physical activity [8].

The use of digital media in therapy has been controversially discussed in the corresponding literature [9, 10]. On the one hand, many studies indicate that an increased use of digital media is associated with reduced physical activity and increased risk of overweight and obesity [11‐13].

In connection with television-presupposed inactivity some meta-analyses report an increased overall mortality [14], cardiovascular mortality [15] and tumor presupposed mortality [16]. Similarly, meta-analyses report an increased morbidity due to metabolic syndrome [11, 17]. On the other hand, digitization offers great potential for therapeutic settings as they may benefit from the use of digital media [18]. Digital media guarantee patients a contemporary, daily access to therapy and may help to facilitate and support therapeutic home care as their use is not bound to any treatment facilities [19]. For therapeutic approaches focused on an obesity-related lifestyle modification, digital media are also used for adoption, maintenance and long-term implementation of a healthy behavior including regular physical activity [20].

Therapeutic approaches use different media. In the study by Cussler et al. [21] emails, chatrooms and platforms were used to support participants in increasing their physical activity (intensity). Furthermore, interactive TV shows [22], text messages [23] and telephone coachings (see also [24, 25]) were used for lifestyle modifications and, in this context, to increase physical activity (intensity). Another approach focused on the difficult access to on-site therapy, which particularly challenging in rural areas. Donelly et al. [26] used conference calls to provide intervention programs to patients who would otherwise not have been able to participate at all.

Overall, empirical findings of therapeutic effects tend to be heterogeneous in terms of the desired increase in physical activity.

In the context of ambulatory and stationary therapy optimization, it is key to determine the efficiency of media-assisted obesity treatment in enhancing physical activity in adults. Therefore, this systematic review aims at analyzing the efficiency of therapeutic approaches using media for obesity treatment in adults.

A systematic literature review in multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library) was performed for articles published from January 1st, 2007 to July 12th, 2017. The methodological approach of the review is based on the guidelines of the German Cochrane Community (2013) [27]. The procedure used in this study follows the PRISMA statement [28]. After identifying adequate keywords using the PICO scheme a corresponding search strategy was developed. After the first search and analysis of the results the strategy was modified. Following the final search, all relevant studies were examined and documented; duplicates were removed (Fig. 1). Inclusion criteria included all randomized controlled trials using digital media to support obesity therapy and/or aftercare. Included digital media were internet, PC, TV, video (games), DVD, mobile phone, smartphone, landline telephone and apps. All inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed below.

In total, 14 randomized controlled trials (evidence level 1a) could be included in this analysis (Table 1).

Most studies were conducted in the United States of America (8). The remaining studies were from Australia (1), the Netherlands (1), Korea (1), Germany (1), Finland (1) and the United Kingdom (1). Most studies included both sexes (11), only two studies included just male participants and one exclusively included black women. The study periods varied from three to maximum 18 months. Most studies covered a time period of 6 months (7), followed by studies with a time period of 3 months (4). Follow-up data were collected in almost half of the studies (6). Sample size ranged from 39 to 1386 participants, with most studies in a three-digit range (10) and two studies with more than a thousand participants. Altogether, data from 4979 participants were analyzed for this review, 3043 of whom received an intervention assisted by digital media. More than half of the studies (8) randomized participants classically bilaterally into one intervention group and one control group. Six studies examined three groups with two intervention groups and one control group (see Table 1).

The digital media used for therapy in the trials werecategorized by author into four groups: cell phone/smartphone (calls, text messages and apps), computer (websites, platforms, emails and social networks), digital bracelet/pedometer and TV (programs and DVDs). Half of the studies (7) used only one digital device for intervention. Four trials used a combination of two different digital devices. The remaining three trials used more than two digital devices and were categorized as “multimedia” (Table 2).

Most studies provided therapy, two of them only provided aftercare [21, 37] and only one study provided both [22] (see Table 1). Therapies were usually constructed modularly and addressed topics like dietary behavior, physical activity, behavior change strategies and overcoming barriers. Therefore, most online interventions created websites with personalized access for study participants, which allowed them to work independently on specific topics and to participate in discussion forums. In most cases expert advisors gave patients individual feedback by email or supported them by telephone regarding topics they worked on, answered questions, gave additional advice and provided information about the topics if needed or requested. Furthermore, coaching sessions on the phone focused on behavior changes, discussions on barriers, successes and failures and advice about patients’ action plans for the upcoming period [24]. Emails and text messages were used as automated reminders to “chase” participants who did not log in or upload their data within the agreed timeframe [32, 38]. Moreover, few studies used emails, text messages and phone calls to motivate participants (see Table 1).

One trial allowed participants to attend regular therapy sessions via conference call [26].

In the trials which used digital bracelets in therapy, participants received direct feedback about their activity from the display. Also after upload of the data by participants, expert advisors assessed the data with special software and gave participants individual feedback and additional guidance based on the analysis of their personal data [34‐36].

One study used a public social network (Facebook) as communication platform [36]. Two studies integrated TV in their therapy to deliver content, one used an interactive TV show [22] and another one used a DVD to support their therapy [33].

In addition, two studies performed only media-assisted aftercare. One provided online support via email, platform, chatroom and a website [21] and the other provided face-to-face consultations via video calls [37].

The control groups mostly received the same material and information about diet, physical activity and positive behavioral change like the intervention group, but only in printed form and/or got face-to-face meetings or personal conversation with the therapist. Three trials applied the so-called “waiting list” method to their control group and two trials did not support their control group at all (see Table 1).

The analyzed studies used different kinds of instruments for measuring the physical activity outcome. Four studies used accelerometer-based measuring tools (BodyMedia FIT System (Jawbone); Polar Electro Kempele Oy; ActiGraph GT1X; ActiGraph GT3X; Actigraph LLC) and pedometer-based measuring tools (Yamax SW-200; WA101, Accusplit AE120). The majority of studies (10) used self-reporting measuring methods. Three of them used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) [40], one of them the short form (IPAQ-SF) [41]. The remaining trials used the Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall Interview [42], the Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire [43], the Self-Reported Physical Activity and Screen Time Questionnaire [44], the Freiburg Questionnaire for Physical Activity [45], the Short Questionnaire to Asses Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (SQUASH) [46], the Beacke Physical Activity Questionnaire [47], and the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire [48]. One study did not specify the therein used self-reporting instruments [26]. Two studies used a combination of accelerometer based and self-reporting instruments [26, 36] (Table 3).

Studies also differed in terms of parameters that were used for objectifying physical activity (Table 3). Eleven trials found an increase in physical activity during the intervention period from baseline to the most recent measurement (time effect), four of them were significant. Furthermore, two studies found no differences during time and two studies reported a decrease in physical activity from baseline to final measurement. Control groups revealed similar results. Ten out of fourteen studies show an increase in physical activity between baseline and final measurement, three of them were significant. Four studies reported a decrease in physical activity in their control groups and one study did not find any time effect, neither for the intervention group nor for the control group. Reported results regarding the time*group effect are relatively homogeneous. Four out of fourteen studies were able to prove a positive effect, two of them only partial. Only one study showed a significant time*group effect in increasing physical activity [33]. The twelve remaining studies report no significant time*group effect when comparing the intervention and the control group during the intervention period (Table 3). Only two studies recorded their effect size. Morgan et al. [33] report a moderate effect (Cohen’s d) and Ströbl et al. [37] report a small effect (ƞ²) [49].

In addition, most of the studies were also collecting and analyzing anthropometric data to calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as lifestyle-relevant behaviors like dietary behavior.

Overall, this systematic literature shows a positive effect of media usage on physical activity levels in obesity treatment, taking into account the above-mentioned limitations. Physical activity in the intervention groups, measured by either duration, intensity, frequency or volume, increased in eleven trials and decreased in the other three trails. Comparable results can be found for the control groups (see Table 3). Accordingly, therapeutic approaches using digital media in obesity treatment did not show superior benefit over traditional therapeutic methods like face-to-face meetings of patient and therapist or the provision of printed (information) material.

The present analysis identified different study concepts. In most studies (8), the control groups received the same information as the intervention group only in written (print material) or verbal (face-to-face) form. Six studies did not support their control group at all during the intervention period. In three of those six studies the control group had the opportunity to participate in the full intervention after the end of the study (waiting list). One of those six studies applied a mixed design [22], i.e. the control group received little support during the intervention period and was added to the waiting list after the study. Interestingly, the latter study [22] shows a decrease in physical activity in the control group and an increase in physical activity in the intervention group. This study is also the only one which used various digital media in both, treatment and aftercare. There was no time*group effect. The increasing physical activity in the intervention group in contrast to the decreasing physical activity in the control group indicates a working concept for obesity treatment. In the other two studies [38, 39] with the same results, the time*group effect is only partially present and not significant. In total, four studies were found in which physical activity level increased in the intervention group compared to the control group. Only one study [33] shows a significant time*group effect.

All studies reporting the desired effect of increased physical activity have one thing in common: All use a combination of digital media support and face-to-face consultations. This fact indicates that this mixed design is advisable in obesity treatment.

Within its limitations, practical recommendations for obesity treatment can be derived from the results of this systematic review. First, it is advisable to continue to integrate therapeutic personnel in obesity treatment and not to exclusively use digital media.

For example, in outpatient settings that commonly include less time for personal therapeutic support, the media-assisted approach is useful to increase physical activity in obesity patients. Here a simultaneous use of various digital media seems to be effective to address important aspects of behavior, e.g. nutrition and physical activity. However, it is still unclear if the used media need to be consumed on specific devices or rather in a certain combination of devices. For this purpose, more research is required [50]. As an example for a successful combination of digital media serves the study of Morgen et al. [33] – the only one with a significant time*group effect. It employed a combination of various online services with information about dietary and physical activity behavior, a DVD with practical exercises and a personal online diary that was used to provide personalized feedback by email [33].

In rural areas access to and accessibility of adequate therapy centers is mostly challenging and partly difficult to implement. In this case, media-assisted treatments and – particularly – aftercare has the potential to increase physical activity levels and, thus, contribute to the success of obesity therapy [26].

Furthermore, digital intervention concepts were well received by patients and seen as very helpful and supportive (see also [31, 37, 51]). This could be attributed, among other reasons, to the time saving aspect because of reduced travelling distances. In addition, digital therapy concepts can help to reduce barriers to allow and increase therapy participation, especially in rural areas [26].

Another important aspect of weight loss is self-monitoring and this, in turn, can be supported simply by using digital devices for motivation [32]. However, personal care in obesity treatment is essential to achieve the intended effect.

From an economic perspective, digital media could offer a low-cost alternative in the long-term. Even if overall costs briefly increase due to development of adequate software and procurement of digital devices, they will decrease in time for the healthcare systems and the patiens as costs for human resources and travel expenses decline [26, 35, 52].

In view of the increasing digitalization of our lifes, it seems only natural that media-assisted obesity treatment will increasingly become an integral part of obesity research and therapy [34]. The evidence in this issue is still unclear. This review of 14 randomized controlled trials (RCT) showed the greatest potential for a therapeutical approach using digital media for supporting obesity treatment in combination with a traditional face-to-face treatment. This result confirms already existing research in this field [53].

Nevertheless, major randomized controlled trials are necessary to identify effective methods for helping obese patients in the long term [36]. Existing studies provide initial indications on how to achieve intervention objectives and increase physical activity by using digital media. Through this, it is possible to implement efficient and resource-conserving concepts of intervention for both, the healthcare system and patients in the future. In order to build on existing success, adequate evaluation and further development of media-assisted obesity treatment and aftercare is required.