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. 2024 Mar 19;26:e53651. doi: 10.2196/53651

Table 2.

Study and intervention characteristics of the included quasi-experiments.

Study, year, and country Study population Study length Sample size, N Female participants, n (%) Age (y), mean Details about the intervention and control (if applicable) Physical activity and other outcomes
Al-Daghri et al [56], 2022, Saudi Arabia Adolescents aged 12-16 y 12 mo 1 arm: 2600 343 (53) 14.8

  • Educational sessions (every 3 mo) about exercise or diet via Zoom or social media (WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, or Twitter), school-based educational sessions about type 2 diabetes and behavioral prevention, pamphlets, booklets, infographic videos, and gamification; participants with diabetes and prediabetes also received tailored advice via phone calls

  • NSa: physical activity

  • Decrease in HbA1cb in participants with diabetes and prediabetes (P<.001)
Ghofranipour et al [57], 2022, Iran Mothers of children aged 3-5 y 6 wk 1 arm: 13 13 (100) Mothers: 38; children: 4

  • WhatsApp messages and educational videos on reducing sedentary behaviors, increasing physical activity, and promoting a healthy diet

  • Increase in active minutes per day (P=.02) immediately and 3 mo after the intervention

  • NS: BMI z score, diet, and quality of life
Ali et al [67], 2021, United Arab Emirates Female university students with overweight or obesity aged 18-35 y 16 wk 2 arms—website: 54; website+app: 111 246 (100) 22

  • Website: self-monitoring of diet and physical activity, educational materials, web-based feedback and counseling, and news and weekly fitness challenges

  • Website+app: self-monitoring of physical activity (PACER) and diet (MyNetDiary) via app, meeting with nutritionists, and WhatsApp messages

  • Website+app group: increase in number of days of moderate physical activity (P=.01) and minutes walked (P<.001), decrease in BMI (P=.04) and body fat (P<.001), and increase in nutritional knowledge (P<.001)

  • NS in these domains in the website group

  • Between-group significant decrease in waist circumference (P=.003)

  • Of 11 mothers, 9 (81.8%) stated that the videos were practical, and 8 (72.7%) found them useful. Participants preferred the materials to be in Arabic, shorter, and delivered via mobile apps only.
Alyousef [58], 2021, Saudi Arabia Women with type 2 diabetes 8 wk 1 arm: 20 20 (100) 54.8

  • WhatsApp messages with links to YouTube exercise videos and a phone call every 2 wk to encourage adherence

  • Increase in step count (P=.04)

  • A total of 20 (100%) participants thought that the intervention was practical, they liked the videos, and they said that they would recommend it to family and friends. In total, 10% of the participants suggested a shorter video. Participants identified several barriers to following the YouTube exercises: lack of time, an appropriate place, and fast internet connection.
Biglar Chopoghlo et al [59], 2021, Iran Female adolescents aged 14-18 y with type 1 diabetes 12 wk 2 arms—IGc: 38; CGd: 38 76 (100) 15.9

  • SMS text messages or MMSe with educational contents regarding physical activity, diet, and other diabetes information

  • CG: SMS text messages with nondiabetes content

  • NS in between-group exercises

  • Between-group difference in self-efficacy (P<.001)
Khidir et al [60], 2021, Qatar University staff and students 2 phases, 16 wk each 288 in phase 1 and 109 in phase 2 NRf; 56 women participated in both phases NR

  • Mobile app: self-monitoring of physical activity and calories and fat burned

  • Face-to-face presentation about benefits of physical activity, 4-mo walking competition, and pedometers

  • NS change in daily step count
Yahia and Bayoumi [61], 2021, Egypt Outpatients with type 2 diabetes 12 wk 1 arm: 150 63 (42) 40.3

  • Mobile app (SOKARY): self-monitoring of physical activity, glucose level, and nutrition; medication reminders; and healthy lifestyle advice

  • Increased activity level (P<.001)

  • Decreased HbA1c (P=.03) and BMI (P=.006)
Jorvand et al [62], 2020, Iran Health care workers 6 mo 2 arms—IG: 59; CG: 55 57 (50) IG: 37.6; CG: 37.5

  • Mobile app (Telegram): educational content about physical activity and reminder messages to exercise; participants could also send pictures of their own exercise to the group

  • CG: no intervention

  • Between-group difference in daily and weekly minutes of exercise (P<.001)
Alnasser et al [63], 2019, Saudi Arabia Women with overweight or obesity 16 wk 1 arm: 240 240 (100) 31

  • Mobile app (Twazon): self-monitoring of step count and diet, recommendations for physical activity and diet, and setting of weight goals

  • NS: physical activity, weight, waist circumference, and BMI

  • Usability score: within acceptable range
Lari et al [64], 2018, Iran Outpatients with type 2 diabetes 12 wk IG: 40; CG: 40 34 (47) IG: 46.1; CG: 49.1

  • SMS text messages (2-3/d for 2 wk and then 2/wk) with recommendations for physical activity for diabetes and how to overcome barriers and seek social support

  • CG: usual care

  • Between-group difference in METg min/wk (P<.001), perceived self-efficacy, barriers (P<.001), and family support (P=.046)

  • NS: perceived health status, benefits, and friend support
Peyman et al [65], 2018, Iran Women 6 mo 2 arms—IG: 180; CG: 180 360 (100) IG: 33.4; CG: 31.9

  • Daily SMS text messages about the importance of physical activity; website with educational content and videos, assessment of physical activity and BMI, suggestions for women-only places for exercise, and chat room; and an educational CD

  • CG: no intervention

  • Between-group difference in MET min/wk and knowledge and attitude about physical activity (P<.001)
Sani et al [66], 2018, Saudi Arabia People who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the last 5 y 6 mo 2 arms—IG: 100; CG: 100 100 (50) NR; 75% were in the 30-49–y age group

  • SMS text messages and MMS in Arabic (2/wk) to encourage discussion; monthly meetings (input from specialist physicians, discussion, and peer group interactions); short presentations; video clips; and problem-based learning techniques about exercise, diet, and self-care

  • CG: usual care

  • NS: physical activity, fasting blood glucose, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein

  • Between-group difference in HbA1c (P<.001), BMI, and systolic blood pressure (P<.001)

aNS: not significant.

bHbA1c: glycated hemoglobin.

cIG: intervention group.

dCG: control group.

eMMS: Multimedia Messaging Service.

fNR: not reported.

gMET: metabolic equivalent of task.