title: Effectiveness of technology-based distance interventions promoting physical activity: Systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of technology-based distance interventions for promoting physical activity, using systematic review and meta-analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search of studies published between 2000 and 2015 was conducted in the following databases: CENTRAL, EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, OTseeker, WOS and PEDro. Studies were selected according to the PICOS framework, as follows: P (population): adults; I (intervention): technology-based distance intervention for promoting physical activity; C (comparison) similar distance intervention without technology, O (outcomes) physical activity; S (study design) randomized controlled trial. Physical activity outcomes were extracted and quality was assessed by 2 independent authors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. The mean (standard deviation; range) me thodological quality score of the studies was 6 (1.3; 4-8). Technology-based distance interventions were not more or less effective than conventional treatment whether measured as steps/day (mean difference 1,657; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) -1,861 to 5,176, p = 0.18), physical activity min/week (mean difference 0.34; 95% CI -146.3 to 146.9, p = 0.92), or as overall physical activity (response ratio 1.1; 95% CI 0.8-1.4, p = 0.65). No associations between the intervention duration or study quality and physical activity outcomes were found. Data were statistically and clinically heterogeneous.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effectiveness of technology-based distance interventions for promoting physical activity is similar to that of conventional treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland.
authors.forename: Sanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hakala
authors.forename: Aki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rintala
authors.forename: Jaakko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Immonen
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karvanen
authors.forename: Ari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heinonen
authors.forename: Tuulikki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sjögren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult