Cited by 128Mobile Health and mHealth ApplicationsHealth Promotion and Cardiovascular PreventionCardiovascular Health and Risk Factors

Web-Based Interventions Targeting Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Middle-Aged and Older People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Beishuizen, Cathrien RL, Stephan, Blossom CM, van Gool, Willem A, Brayne, Carol, Peters, Ron JG, Andrieu, Sandrine, Kivipelto, Miia, Soininen, Hilkka +3 more·2016·Journal of Medical Internet Research

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Web-based interventions can improve single cardiovascular risk factors in adult populations. In view of global aging and the associated increasing burden of cardiovascular disease, older people form an important target population as well. OBJECTIVE: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we evaluated whether Web-based interventions for cardiovascular risk factor management reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in older people. METHODS: Embase, Medline, Cochrane and CINAHL were systematically searched from January 1995 to November 2014. Search terms included cardiovascular risk factors and diseases (specified), Web-based interventions (and synonyms) and randomized controlled trial. Two authors independently performed study selection, data-extraction and risk of bias assessment. In a meta-analysis, outcomes regarding treatment effects on cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, smoking status, weight and physical inactivity) and incident cardiovascular disease were pooled with random effects models. RESULTS: A total of 57 studies (N=19,862) fulfilled eligibility criteria and 47 studies contributed to the meta-analysis. A significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (mean difference -2.66 mmHg, 95% CI -3.81 to -1.52), diastolic blood pressure (mean difference -1.26 mmHg, 95% CI -1.92 to -0.60), HbA1c level (mean difference -0.13%, 95% CI -0.22 to -0.05), LDL cholesterol level (mean difference -2.18 mg/dL, 95% CI -3.96 to -0.41), weight (mean difference -1.34 kg, 95% CI -1.91 to -0.77), and an increase of physical activity (standardized mean difference 0.25, 95% CI 0.10-0.39) in the Web-based intervention group was found. The observed effects were more pronounced in studies with short (<12 months) follow-up and studies that combined the Internet application with human support (blended care). No difference in incident cardiovascular disease was found between groups (6 studies). CONCLUSIONS: Web-based interventions have the potential to improve the cardiovascular risk profile of older people, but the effects are modest and decline with time. Currently, there is insufficient evidence for an effect on incident cardiovascular disease. A focus on long-term effects, clinical endpoints, and strategies to increase sustainability of treatment effects is recommended for future studies.

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Authors
Beishuizen, C. R., Stephan, B. C., van Gool, W. A., Brayne, C., Peters, R. J., Andrieu, S., Kivipelto, M., Soininen, H., Busschers, W. B., Moll van Charante, E. P., & Richard, E.
Affiliations
  • Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam (NL)
  • Newcastle University (GB)
  • University of Cambridge (GB)
  • Inserm (FR)
  • Karolinska Institutet (SE)
  • University of Eastern Finland (FI)
Corresponding author
Richard, Edo
Venue
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Published
2016-03-11
Volume
18
Issue
3
Pages
e55
ISSN
1438-8871 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2294364812
Cited by
128
References
89
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 2
FWCI
2.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Journal of Medical Internet Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
  • UEF eRepo (University of Eastern Finland) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
  • Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research (NF-SI-0611-10084)
  • Newcastle University
  • European Commission (2007–2013, FP7 2007-2013, FP7/2007, 305654)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Health Promotion and Cardiovascular Prevention
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Health and Risk Factors
Keywords
online intervention, cardiovascular risk factors, older adults, middle-aged adults, cardiovascular disease prevention, blood pressure, HbA1c, LDL cholesterol, weight loss, physical activity, smoking, blended care, internet-based health interventions, population aging, cardiovascular risk management, treatment effects over time, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes risk, hypertension, dyslipidemia
MeSH terms
Aged, Blood Pressure, Body Weight, Cardiovascular Diseases, Glycated Hemoglobin, Humans, Cholesterol, LDL, Middle Aged, Motor Activity, Risk Factors, Smoking, Therapy, Computer-Assisted, Weight Loss, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Smoking Cessation, Internet, Risk Reduction Behavior, Sedentary Behavior

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