Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of digital tools on step count and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in healthy children and adolescents - Summary - MDSpire

Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of digital tools on step count and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in healthy children and adolescents

  • By

  • Garden Tabacchi

  • Roberta Cottone

  • Antonino Scardina

  • Marta Giardina

  • Antonella Amato

  • Sonya Vasto

  • Giulia Accardi

  • Valentina Di Liberto

  • Monica Frinchi

  • Paolo Boffetta

  • Walter Mazzucco

  • Marianna Bellafiore

  • June 4, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To determine the effectiveness of digital interventions in increasing step count and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among healthy school-aged children.

Key Findings:
  • No significant overall effect of digital interventions on daily step count (WMD: 267.81; 95% CI: −198.58–734.20).
  • Significant increase in MVPA minutes per day (WMD: 2.72; 95% CI: 0.83–4.61).
  • Greater effectiveness observed when interventions included wearable devices, integrated non-digital components, and utilized a mix of delivery devices.
Interpretation:

Digital interventions are effective in increasing MVPA among school-aged children but do not significantly increase step counts. The effectiveness varies based on the type of digital tool and intervention design.

Limitations:
  • 27.8% of the studies had a high risk of bias, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
  • Limited generalizability of digital interventions based on subgroup analyses.
Conclusion:

Future interventions should be tailored to enhance effectiveness by considering the type of digital tool, delivery method, and integration of non-digital elements.

Original Source(s)

Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of digital tools on step count and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in healthy children and adolescents

  • by Garden Tabacchi, Roberta Cottone, Antonino Scardina, Marta Giardina, Antonella Amato, Sonya Vasto, Giulia Accardi, Valentina Di Liberto, Monica Frinchi, Paolo Boffetta, Walter Mazzucco, Marianna Bellafiore

  • June 4, 2026

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