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 .
Feasibility and Effectiveness of Online Physical Activity Advice Based on a Personal Activity Monitor: Randomized Controlled Trial
Background Inactive people are often not aware of the fact that they are insufficiently active . Providing insight into their actual physical activity ( PA ) levels may raise awareness and could , in combination with tailored PA advice , stimulate a physically active lifestyle . Objective This study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of a 3-month intervention in which Dutch office workers were provided with a personal activity monitor ( PAM ) coupled to simple and concise Web-based tailored PA advice ( PAM COACH ) . Method Participants were r and omly assigned to the 3-month PAM intervention ( n = 51 ) or received a single written information brochure with brief general PA recommendations ( n = 51 ) . Study outcome measures were changes in PA ( recall of minutes per week spent on PA , as measured by the Activity Question naire for Adolescents and Adults ) , determinants of PA , aerobic fitness , and body composition . Follow-up measurements were performed immediately after the 3-month intervention and at 8-months , 5 months after the end of the 3-month intervention period . Results A total of 102 workers , 23 to 39 years old , completed the baseline measurement at the worksite . 48 completed the 3-month follow up and 38 the 8-month follow-up in the intervention group , 50 completed the 3-month follow up and 42 the 8-month follow up in the control group . 35 out of 48 ( 73 % ) participants in the PAM intervention group reported wearing the PAM regularly , and the PAM COACH was used almost once a week ; 24 out of 46 ( 52 % ) PAM users set a personal goal , and 33 ( 72 % ) entered their favorite activities on the website . Main reasons for not using these items were lack of interest or not being able to find the item on the website . The majority of PAM users ( 34 out of 46 , 74 % ) read the advice , of whom 14 ( 39 % ) found it unappealing . After the 3-month intervention , no significant intervention effect was observed ( adjusted difference in min/week ) for sedentary behavior ( β = 10 , 95 % CI = −435 to 455 ) , light-intensity PA ( β = −129 , 95 % CI = −337 to 79 ) , moderate-intensity PA ( β = −13 , 95 % CI = −89 to 63 ) , vigorous-intensity PA ( β= −6 , 95 % CI = −75 to 62 ) , and moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA ( β = −23 , 95 % CI = −121 to 76 ) . No significant intervention effect was observed in the PA outcomes at the 8-month follow-up . For the determinants of PA , aerobic fitness , and body composition , no statistically significant intervention effect was observed in the total study population immediately after the 3-month intervention or the 8-month follow-up . Conclusions The intervention appeared to be easily applicable to real-life setting s. The intervention was ineffective in improving PA behavior or its determinants in healthy office workers . More attention should have been given to the quality and appropriateness of the tailored advice . Trial Registration International St and ard R and omized Controlled Trial Number ( IS RCT N ) : 93896459 ; http://www.controlled-trials.com/IS RCT N93896459/ ( Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5iR3mf7ex
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 .