Conclusion These studies provide preliminary evidence suggesting that EAMS can increase physical activity and decrease weight significantly , but their efficacy compared to other interventions has not yet been demonstrated .
Background Obesity is a growing global health concern that may lead to cardiovascular disease , type II diabetes , and cancer .
Several systematic review s have shown that technology is successful in combating obesity through increased physical activity , but there is no known review on interventions that use an electronic activity monitor system ( EAMS ) .
EAMSs are defined as a wearable device that objective ly measures lifestyle physical activity and can provide feedback , beyond the display of basic activity count information , via the monitor display or through a partnering application to elicit continual self-monitoring of activity behavior .
These devices improve upon st and ard pedometers because they have the ability to provide visual feedback on activity progression , verbal encouragement , and social comparison .
This systematic review aim ed to synthesize the efficacy and feasibility results of EAMSs within published physical activity interventions .
Using Internet and Mobile Phone Technology to Deliver an Automated Physical Activity Program: Randomized Controlled Trial
Background The Internet has potential as a medium for health behavior change programs , but no controlled studies have yet evaluated the impact of a fully automated physical activity intervention over several months with real-time objective feedback from a monitor . Objective The aim was to evaluate the impact of a physical activity program based on the Internet and mobile phone technology provided to individuals for 9 weeks . Methods A single-center , r and omized , stratified controlled trial was conducted from September to December 2005 in Bedfordshire , United Kingdom , with 77 healthy adults whose mean age was 40.4 years ( SD = 7.6 ) and mean body mass index was 26.3 ( SD = 3.4 ) . Participants were r and omized to a test group that had access to an Internet and mobile phone – based physical activity program  ( n = 47 ) or to a control group ( n = 30 ) that  received no support . The test group received tailored solutions for perceived barriers , a schedule to plan weekly exercise sessions with mobile phone and email reminders , a message board to share their experiences with others , and feedback on their level of physical activity . Both groups were issued a wrist-worn accelerometer to monitor their level of physical activity ;  only the test group received real-time feedback via the Internet . The main outcome measures were accelerometer data and self-report of physical activity . Results At the end of the study period , the test group reported a significantly greater increase over baseline than did the control group for perceived control ( P < .001 ) and intention/expectation to exercise ( P < .001 ) . Intent-to-treat analyses of both the accelerometer data ( P = .02 ) and leisure time self-report data ( P = .03 ) found a higher level of moderate physical activity in the test group . The average increase ( over the control group ) in accelerometer-measured moderate physical activity was 2 h 18 min per week . The test group also lost more percent body fat than the control group ( test group : −2.18 , SD = 0.59 ; control group : −0.17 , SD = 0.81 ; P = .04 ) . Conclusions A fully automated Internet and mobile phone – based motivation and action support system can significantly increase and maintain the level of physical activity in healthy adults
Conclusion These studies provide preliminary evidence suggesting that EAMS can increase physical activity and decrease weight significantly , but their efficacy compared to other interventions has not yet been demonstrated .
Background Obesity is a growing global health concern that may lead to cardiovascular disease , type II diabetes , and cancer .
Several systematic review s have shown that technology is successful in combating obesity through increased physical activity , but there is no known review on interventions that use an electronic activity monitor system ( EAMS ) .
EAMSs are defined as a wearable device that objective ly measures lifestyle physical activity and can provide feedback , beyond the display of basic activity count information , via the monitor display or through a partnering application to elicit continual self-monitoring of activity behavior .
These devices improve upon st and ard pedometers because they have the ability to provide visual feedback on activity progression , verbal encouragement , and social comparison .
This systematic review aim ed to synthesize the efficacy and feasibility results of EAMSs within published physical activity interventions .