Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34519653›Full record

SynthesisJournal of medical Internet research2021

Promoting Physical Activity Through Conversational Agents: Mixed Methods Systematic Review.

Tiffany Christina Luo, Adrian Aguilera, Courtney Rees Lyles, Caroline Astrid Figueroa

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of medical Internet research, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 32 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
32citing papers in PubMed, 5 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

32 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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  7. Hybrid Virtual Coaching and Telemonitoring in COPD Management: The CAir Randomised Controlled Study.International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease · 2024
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Tiffany Christina LuoSchool of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States.ORCID 0000-0003-4461-8585
Adrian AguileraSchool of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States.ORCID 0000-0003-1773-8768
Courtney Rees LylesCenter for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.ORCID 0000-0002-1111-8595
Caroline Astrid FigueroaSchool of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States.ORCID 0000-0003-0692-2244

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRegular physical activity (PA) is crucial for well-being; however, healthy habits are difficult to create and maintain. Interventions delivered via conversational agents (eg, chatbots or virtual agents) are a novel and potentially accessible way to promote PA. Thus, it is important to understand the evolving landscape of research that uses conversational agents.

objectiveThis mixed methods systematic review aims to summarize the usability and effectiveness of conversational agents in promoting PA, describe common theories and intervention components used, and identify areas for further development.

methodsWe conducted a mixed methods systematic review. We searched seven electronic databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ACM Digital Library, Scopus, and Web of Science) for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies that conveyed primary research on automated conversational agents designed to increase PA. The studies were independently screened, and their methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool by 2 reviewers. Data on intervention impact and effectiveness, treatment characteristics, and challenges were extracted and analyzed using parallel-results convergent synthesis and narrative summary.

resultsIn total, 255 studies were identified, 7.8% (20) of which met our inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the studies was varied. Overall, conversational agents had moderate usability and feasibility. Those that were evaluated through randomized controlled trials were found to be effective in promoting PA. Common challenges facing interventions were repetitive program content, high attrition, technical issues, and safety and privacy concerns.

conclusionsConversational agents hold promise for PA interventions. However, there is a lack of rigorous research on long-term intervention effectiveness and patient safety. Future interventions should be based on evidence-informed theories and treatment approaches and should address users' desires for program variety, natural language processing, delivery via mobile devices, and safety and privacy concerns.

Indexed as

CommunicationExerciseComputers, HandheldDelivery of Health CareHumansNatural Language Processingbehavior changechatbotconversational agentdigital healtheHealthhealth behaviormHealthmobile healthmobile phonephysical activityvirtual agent

Identifiers

PMID34519653
PMCPMC8479596

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.