Table 2.
Intervention and comparator group characteristics.
| First author, year | Outcome (measurement) | Intervention description | App characteristics | Comparator description | Intervention frequency |
| Ashe, 2015 [35] | PAa (minutes/day, Actigraph), sedentary time (% sedentary time/day, Actigraph) | Group education, individualized PA prescription, Fitbit with Fitbit app use | App syncs with wearable device. Can view daily steps, calories burned, active minutes, and sleep and track food and weight. Allows monitoring trends, goal setting and tailored daily prompts. Social networking forums | Educational sessions without PA component | 4 weekly sessions, then 5 monthly sessions |
| Bickmore, 2013 [36] | PA (steps/day, pedometer) | Tablet with ECAb app and pedometer | App syncs with pedometer. Can view step counts. Has virtual coach. Allows monitoring trends and goal setting, identifies barriers, and negotiates new goals. Gives exercise tip of the day. | Pedometer and self-monitoring | Instructed to have 1 conversation with ECA per day |
| Silveira, 2013 [39] | Fitness (m/s, fastest gait speed) | Introductory class with iPad and active lifestyle app (either individual or social version) | App has strength-balance training plans, with videos to support exercises. Sends praise/reward messages if there is progress in goals (eg, has a flower that grows if session is completed). Allows monitoring trends. Bulletin board to discuss progress with experts and friends in social version. | Physical exercise manual and paper log | Patient guided |
| Knight, 2014 [40] | PA (steps/day, pedometer) | Introduction and prescription of PA (exercise, sedentary, or both) then use of smartphone + app, pedometer, glucometer, blood pressure monitor | App syncs with blood pressure and blood glucose monitors. User manually inputs steps/day from pedometer. Allows monitoring trends | No comparator, all groups had apps | Patient guided |
| Lyons, 2017 [37] | PA (minutes/day, activPAL); steps/day, (pedometer), sedentary time (sitting time/day, activPAL), fitness (meters, 6-min timed walk) | iPad and app/UP24 Jawbone wearable device. Initial visit then telephone counseling | Syncs with wearable device. Allows monitoring trends of step count, heart rate, sleep, food, and weight. Has a smart coach that offers tailored advice based on progress, goal setting, and prompts. | Control, no intervention wait list | Weekly telephone counseling |
| Knight, 2014 [38] | Fitness (maximal oxygen uptake) | Introduction and prescription for a specific intensity of PA (exercise, sedentary, or both) then use of smartphone + app, pedometer, glucometer, blood pressure monitor) | App syncs with blood pressure and blood glucose monitors. User manually inputs steps/day from pedometer. Allows monitoring trends | Control, no intervention | Patient guided |
aPA: physical activity.
bECA: embodied conversational agent.