Effectiveness of Brain Breaks® for Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA) is a key factor of a healthy lifestyle. However, many students do not acquire sufficient PA due to numerous internal and external factors that influence students’ PA levels. Brain Breaks Physical Activity Solution (Brain Breaks®) is an online PA video project based on classroom environment, which is multimedia video technology. It may provide an opportunity to increase school-based PA and other possible benefits. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the impact of Brain Breaks® for students. Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, OVID, ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost, and Scopus) was performed between February 10, 2022, and March 30, 2022. Studies that investigated the classroom-based Brain Breaks® among students were included. Meta-analyses were conducted in Review Manager 5.3, with effect sizes calculated separately for each subscale outcome assessed. Results: Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria for the review, and seven provided sufficient data and appropriate design for inclusion in the meta-analyses. Studies mainly investigated different physical activity-related outcomes. Results of the meta-analyses showed Brain Breaks® had a positive effect on students’ attitudes toward physical activity. Including: Benefits (MD = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.46, p = 0.0006), Importance (MD = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.39, p < 0.00001), Learning (MD = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.40, 1.10, p < 0.0001), Self-efficacy (MD = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.93, p = 0.0003), Fun (MD = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.40, p < 0.00001), Fitness (MD = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.36, p < 0.00001), and Personal Best (MD = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.37, p < 0.00001). Conclusions: Brain Breaks® may have a positive impact on attitudes toward physical activity. However, it is not possible to draw definitive conclusions due to the level of heterogeneity in Attitudes toward Physical Activity Scale (APAS) subscales outcomes assessed. Future studies should consider more high methodological intervention designs to achieve meaningful evidence.