Digital activity programs ranked differently for activity and steps in healthy older adults
A tablet app program had the highest reported estimate for daily physical activity, while wearables paired with motivational instructions ranked highest for daily steps.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review reported favorable results for different digital programs depending on the measured outcome. A tablet app program had the highest estimate for daily physical activity, while wearables paired with motivational instructions had the highest estimate for daily steps. The abstract does not provide enough detail to establish reliable superiority over every alternative program.
This abstract-based explanation cannot translate the reported effect sizes into activity minutes or extra steps because their calculation is undefined. The abstract also omits program durations, detailed control conditions and uncertainty in comparisons between active programs.
What participants received
The tablet program supplied an app offering recommendations about healthy habits and physical activity. The wearable program combined devices such as pedometers or accelerometers with motivational instructions directed toward a daily step goal.
Separate outcomes, separate rankings
The analysis examined daily physical activity and daily step counts separately. Each program's leading estimate was reported against a control group: the tablet app for activity and the wearable program for steps.
The original publication
Effect of e-Health exercise interventions on physical activity and number of steps in healthy older people: A network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
López-González M, Priego-Jiménez S, Lorenzo-García P et al.
Public Health · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40782592
- Record checked
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