Cited by 488Physical Activity and HealthMobile Health and mHealth ApplicationsDigital Mental Health Interventions

Meta-analysis of internet-delivered interventions to increase physical activity levels

Open access
Davies, Cally A, Spence, John C, Vandelanotte, Corneel, Caperchione, Cristina M, Mummery, W·2012·International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity

Abstract

Many internet-delivered physical activity behaviour change programs have been developed and evaluated. However, further evidence is required to ascertain the overall effectiveness of such interventions. The objective of the present review was to evaluate the effectiveness of internet-delivered interventions to increase physical activity, whilst also examining the effect of intervention moderators. A systematic search strategy identified relevant studies published in the English-language from Pubmed, Proquest, Scopus, PsychINFO, CINHAL, and Sport Discuss (January 1990 - June 2011). Eligible studies were required to include an internet-delivered intervention, target an adult population, measure and target physical activity as an outcome variable, and include a comparison group that did not receive internet-delivered materials. Studies were coded independently by two investigators. Overall effect sizes were combined based on the fixed effect model. Homogeneity and subsequent exploratory moderator analysis was undertaken. A total of 34 articles were identified for inclusion. The overall mean effect of internet-delivered interventions on physical activity was d = 0.14 (p = 0.00). Fixed-effect analysis revealed significant heterogeneity across studies (Q = 73.75; p = 0.00). Moderating variables such as larger sample size, screening for baseline physical activity levels and the inclusion of educational components significantly increased intervention effectiveness. Results of the meta-analysis support the delivery of internet-delivered interventions in producing positive changes in physical activity, however effect sizes were small. The ability of internet-delivered interventions to produce meaningful change in long-term physical activity remains unclear.

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  • Current evidence demonstrates that digital health interventions effectively promote physical activity in adult populations.

    “Current evidence demonstrates that DHIs effectively promote physical activity in adult populations (21, 22).”

    From The effectiveness of digital health intervention on glycemic control and physical activity in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [22]

    The Abstract reports that the included studies targeted adults and found a small positive effect of internet-delivered interventions on physical activity (d = 0.14). The Conclusion likewise calls the increases small but significant. The paper evaluates internet-delivered interventions, not digital health interventions across all delivery formats, so the citing sentence is broader than this source supports. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Draper M Jennings J Barón A Erdur O Shankar L Dose-effect relationships in brief therapy based on a nationwide college counseling center sample Book Dose-effect relationships in brief therapy based on a nationwide college counseling center sample (Editor ed.^eds.), vol. 1 2000 The Counseling & Mental Health Center, The University of Texas at Austin, City

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Authors
Davies, C. A., Spence, J. C., Vandelanotte, C., Caperchione, C. M., & Mummery, W.
Affiliations
  • Central Queensland University (AU)
  • University of Alberta (CA)
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
Corresponding author
Davies, Cally A
Venue
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Published
2012
Volume
9
Issue
1
Pages
52
ISSN
1479-5868 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2138928597
Cited by
488
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 55 · 2019: 52 · 2018: 46 · 2017: 41 · 2016: 40 · 2015: 41 · 2014: 31 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 3
FWCI
3.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • cIRcle (University of British Columbia) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • National Heart Foundation of Australia (PH 07B 3303, 07B 3303)
  • Medical Research Council
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (519778)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
Keywords
online intervention, physical activity, behavior change, intervention moderators, sample size, educational components, adults, intervention effectiveness
MeSH terms
Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Motor Activity, Sports, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Databases, Factual, Internet

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