Do digital technology interventions improve risk factor modification in patients with cardiovascular disease?
Digital technology interventions did not significantly improve alcohol intake, smoking cessation, or medication adherence in patients with cardiovascular disease based on this meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND: Approximately 50% of cardiovascular disease (CVD) cases are attributable to lifestyle risk factors. Despite widespread education, personal knowledge, and efficacy, many individuals fail to adequately modify these risk factors, even after a cardiovascular event. Digital technology interventions have been suggested as a viable equivalent and potential alternative to conventional cardiac rehabilitation care centers. However, little is known about the clinical effectiveness of these technologies in bringing about behavioral changes in patients with CVD at an individual level. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to identify and measure the effectiveness of digital technology (eg, mobile phones, the internet, software applications, wearables, etc) interventions in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and determine which behavior change constructs are effective at achieving risk factor modification in patients with CVD. METHODS: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs designed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis) statement standard. Mixed data from studies extracted from selected research databases and filtered for RCTs only were analyzed using quantitative methods. Outcome hypothesis testing was set at 95% CI and P=.05 for statistical significance. RESULTS: ) RR at 1.04 0.40, 2.70, P=.94; alcohol intake SMD at -0.16 -1.43, 1.10, P=.80; smoking RR at 0.87 0.67, 1.13, P=.30; and medication adherence RR at 1.10 1.00, 1.22, P=.06. CONCLUSIONS: ).
Akinosun et al. (Tue,) studied this question.