The Impact of Different Mobile Health Technologies on Physical Activity of COPD Patients: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

To compare and rank the effects of different mobile health (mHealth) technologies on the physical activity of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Eight databases from January 2010 to March 2025 were searched. Two researchers independently screened the studies and extracted the data. The quality of the literature was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Paired Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 15.1 software, and network Meta-analysis was performed using RStudio software. A total of 25 studies were included, involving 7 intervention measures, with a sample size of 2093 cases. The results showed that in the paired Meta-analysis, the combination of smart wearable devices and telephone support, as well as smart wearable devices alone, could improve the physical activity level of patients; the WeChat platform, App, and smart wearable devices could effectively improve the patients' exercise endurance. Surface under cumulative rank curve (SUCRA) ranking indicated that, compared with other mHealth technologies, the WeChat platform and the combination of telephone support and smart wearable devices were the top two optimal treatment measures. Current evidence shows that mHealth technologies can promote the physical activity of COPD patients and may improve their exercise endurance. When traditional pulmonary rehabilitation is not feasible, the use of mHealth technologies may be a better intervention option. More high-quality studies with large samples, multiple centers, and long-term follow-up are still needed to further verify this conclusion.