Table 5.
Summary of narrative reviews
| Author(s), publication year | Number of studies | Main findings |
|---|---|---|
| Besson et al. (2020) | 15 | Digital interventions can be beneficial in weight loss for adults with overweight. Nine studies out of fifteen showed a significant difference between treatments favoring digital interventions. Also, the results of the rest of the studies (6) indicated that when comparing the digital interventions to the active compare group, they could be as successful as the comparison intervention. Interventions that promoted weight loss utilized, e.g., personalized feedback and counseling, social support, and self-monitoring through web programs, Internet chats, text messages, and mobile apps. The results were mixed when digital interventions were compared to traditional face-to-face/human counseling interventions: some found that hybrid (human and digital) intervention was the most effective for weight loss, whereas some did not find the difference. Digital interventions succeeded well in the short term compared to human intervention, but human counseling was more effective in the longer term |
| Dounavi et al. (2019) | 39 | The results of both RCTs and non-randomized studies showed that digital apps were useful and easy to use for the purposes of weight management and weight loss. Including tools that enabled the effortless self-monitoring of health behaviors, interaction with peers, tailored feedback, and reminders to continue with the app, increased engagement in the process and thus supported successful weight management |
| Holmes et al. (2018) | 7 | The use of digital health technologies promoted successful weight-loss maintenance in short-term periods (3–24 months). Four RCTs out of seven reported that compared to controls with no contact or face-to-face contact; the technology significantly aided the weight management process. Self-monitoring and reporting were essential components of digital health technologies. The results of five trials suggested that digital interventions could support goal setting and social interaction. Also, personalized contacts were seen as necessary for participants |
| Houser et al. (2019) | 23 | The statistically significant association between the use of digital components and weight loss was seen in 14 studies. The review noticed that 73% of the studies that utilized mobile health devices showed a statistically significant association between weight loss and used technology, whereas 40% of the studies that used telemedicine and 50% of the studies that used eHealth reported statistically significant differences. Digital tools were utilized to provide reminders and encourage health-promoting behaviors |
| Lee et al. (2022) | 11 | All studies showed a statistically significant weight loss after the digital health intervention. Seven studies reported a significant difference between the intervention and comparison groups, and among those studies, six showed that both intervention and control groups lost weight. Still, the intervention groups’ weight reduction was greater than the control groups. The remaining four studies failed to show a significant difference between the groups. Intervention strategies included in the studies were, e.g., tailored advice, personalized goal settings and daily messages, tailored remote group meetings, and online social support |
| Mata-Gonzáles et al. (2020) | 21 | The online intervention showed significant differences in weight when compared to the control group or face-to-face intervention. Web-based programs that promoted weight management focused on, e.g., increasing physical activity and making healthier changes to diet. Successful interventions utilized self-monitoring and social support as well as goal setting |
| Novaes et al. (2022) | 16 | Both remote and hybrid (digital + face-to-face) interventions found significant outcomes favoring the interventions. However, as statistical methods and study outcomes varied, direct comparisons were difficult to make. In conclusion, digital approaches seem practical, competent, and valuable tools to reduce sedentary behavior, improve life quality and healthier lifestyle, and lose weight among patients with severe mental illnesses |
| O’Boyle et al. (2022) | 14 | The review found that both mHealth (8) and eHealth (6) interventions positively impacted weight loss and behavior change. When combining human support (regular clinician coaching through, e.g., phone calls, text messages, and e-feedback) with digital components, the participants gained the most successful outcomes regarding weight and behavior change. Self-regulation, reporting weight-related behaviors, and tailored feedback were essential factors in successful interventions |
| Puigdomènech et al. (2019) | 28 | The review aimed to find methods of how mHealth interventions had evaluated the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of digital interventions for weight loss/management. Most of the studies (78%) assessed the reduction in weight/BMI as a primary marker for the efficacy of mHealth intervention, followed by changes in physical activity and diet. Feedback messaging, goal setting, and self-monitoring were the most used tools in apps. Peer support and gamification might be useful to increase engagement and motivation and thus improve the efficacy of the intervention. The weight loss results were controversial: some found no difference between intervention and control groups, whereas some found significant or non-significant reductions in weight-loss markers between groups. Interventions that included face-to-face elements in their program obtained the most successful outcomes |
| Rumbo-Rodriguez et al. (2020) | Different technologies such as smartphones, apps, websites, and personal digital assistants were used in weight loss interventions for patients with overweight and obesity. Almost half of the interventions (47%) reported a significant impact of the technology-based interventions for weight loss compared to the control or comparison group. The use of digital tools also seems to improve treatment adherence as they offer more straightforward and faster self-monitoring via technology. Also, some findings indicate that the adherence level is further increased when it is accompanied by immediate feedback. Additionally, the short-term weight loss results highlight the crucial role of personalized feedback in weight management, but the association has not been observed in the long term |