Abstract
BackgroundDigital technologies (such as smartphone applications, activity trackers, and e-learning platforms) have supported patients with long-term conditions to change their lifestyle health behaviours. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of digital technologies in supporting patients undergoing elective surgery to change their health behaviours.MethodsA systematic review was conducted of articles reporting a digital intervention supporting behaviour change in adult patients who underwent elective bariatric, oncological or orthopaedic surgery. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from inception to March 2019 for quantitative intervention studies with a specific focus on physical activity, dietary intake, and weight loss in patients before and after surgery (PROSPERO: CRD42019127972). The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist was used to assess study quality.ResultsOf 3021 citations screened, 17 studies were included comprising 4923 surgical patients; these included experimental (pre–post design, feasibility studies, and RCTs) and observational studies. Three factors were identified as effective for supporting health behaviour change in elective surgical populations: digital technology delivery, implementation, and theoretical underpinning. Six of eight studies that referred to behaviour change theories observed significant improvements in health behaviour relating to reduced weight regain, and improved lifestyle choices for physical activity and diet. Meta-analysis was not possible because of heterogeneous outcome measures.ConclusionDigital technologies may effectively support behavioural change in patients undergoing elective surgery.
Highlights
Digital technologies are becoming an integral part of modern-day life
MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from inception to March 2019 for quantitative intervention studies with a specific focus on physical activity, dietary intake, and weight loss in patients before and after surgery (PROSPERO: CRD42019127972)
The aim of this review was to determine whether digital technologies are effective at supporting patients undergoing elective surgery to change their health behaviours, focusing on physical activity, weight, and dietary intake
Summary
Digital technologies are becoming an integral part of modern-day life. Recent reports from the UK Office of Communications and the Statista and the Office of Communications estimate that 78 per cent of adults own a smartphone, 90 per cent of people regularly access the internet in their home, 58 per cent own a tablet device, and 20 per cent use wearable technology, such as smart watches and fitness trackers[1,2]. Digital technologies (such as smartphone applications, activity trackers, and e-learning platforms) have supported patients with long-term conditions to change their lifestyle health behaviours. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of digital technologies in supporting patients undergoing elective surgery to change their health behaviours. Methods: A systematic review was conducted of articles reporting a digital intervention supporting behaviour change in adult patients who underwent elective bariatric, oncological or orthopaedic surgery. Three factors were identified as effective for supporting health behaviour change in elective surgical populations: digital technology delivery, implementation, and theoretical underpinning. Six of eight studies that referred to behaviour change theories observed significant improvements in health behaviour relating to reduced weight regain, and improved lifestyle choices for physical activity and diet. Conclusion: Digital technologies may effectively support behavioural change in patients undergoing elective surgery
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