Using digital interventions to improve the cardiometabolic health of populations: a meta-review of reporting quality.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a meta-review to determine the reporting quality of user-centered digital interventions for the prevention and management of cardiometabolic conditions.


METHODS
Using predetermined inclusion criteria, systematic reviews published between 2010 and 2015 were identified from 3 databases. To assess whether current evidence is sufficient to inform wider uptake and implementation of digital health programs, we assessed the quality of reporting of research findings using (1) endorsement of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, (2) a quality assessment framework (eg, Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool), and (3) 8 parameters of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials of Electronic and Mobile HEalth Applications and onLine TeleHealth (CONSORT-eHEALTH) guidelines (developed in 2010).


RESULTS
Of the 33 systematic reviews covering social media, Web-based programs, mobile health programs, and composite modalities, 6 reported using the recommended PRISMA guidelines. Seven did not report using a quality assessment framework. Applying the CONSORT-EHEALTH guidelines, reporting was of mild to moderate strength.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first meta-review to provide a comprehensive analysis of the quality of reporting of research findings for a range of digital health interventions. Our findings suggest that the evidence base and quality of reporting in this rapidly developing field needs significant improvement in order to inform wider implementation and uptake.


CONCLUSIONS
The inconsistent quality of reporting of digital health interventions for cardiometabolic outcomes may be a critical impediment to real-world implementation.
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.|School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Adrienne
A
O'Neil
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.|School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Fiona
F
Cocker
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Patricia
P
Rarau
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Shaira
S
Baptista
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Mandy
M
Cassimatis
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Stanford University and Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
C
C
Barr Taylor
Centre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Annie Y S
AYS
Lau
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Stanford University and Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
Nitya
N
Kanuri
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Brian
B
Oldenburg
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D063731:Mobile Applications; D061108:Social Media; D017216:Telemedicine
cardiovascular disease; diabetes; digital health; prevention; technology