1
|
Herold F, Theobald P, Gronwald T, Kaushal N, Zou L, de Bruin ED, Bherer L, Müller NG. Alexa, let's train now! - A systematic review and classification approach to digital and home-based physical training interventions aiming to support healthy cognitive aging. JOURNAL OF SPORT AND HEALTH SCIENCE 2024; 13:30-46. [PMID: 36736727 PMCID: PMC10818117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is mounting evidence that regular physical activity is an important prerequisite for healthy cognitive aging. Consequently, the finding that almost one-third of the adult population does not reach the recommended level of regular physical activity calls for further public health actions. In this context, digital and home-based physical training interventions might be a promising alternative to center-based intervention programs. Thus, this systematic review aimed to summarize the current state of the literature on the effects of digital and home-based physical training interventions on adult cognitive performance. METHODS In this pre-registered systematic review (PROSPERO; ID: CRD42022320031), 5 electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Library) were searched by 2 independent researchers (FH and PT) to identify eligible studies investigating the effects of digital and home-based physical training interventions on cognitive performance in adults. The systematic literature search yielded 8258 records (extra 17 records from other sources), of which 27 controlled trials were considered relevant. Two reviewers (FH and PT) independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using a modified version of the Tool for the assEssment of Study qualiTy and reporting in EXercise (TESTEX scale). RESULTS Of the 27 reviewed studies, 15 reported positive effects on cognitive and motor-cognitive outcomes (i.e., performance improvements in measures of executive functions, working memory, and choice stepping reaction test), and a considerable heterogeneity concerning study-related, population-related, and intervention-related characteristics was noticed. A more detailed analysis suggests that, in particular, interventions using online classes and technology-based exercise devices (i.e., step-based exergames) can improve cognitive performance in healthy older adults. Approximately one-half of the reviewed studies were rated as having a high risk of bias with respect to completion adherence (≤85%) and monitoring of the level of regular physical activity in the control group. CONCLUSION The current state of evidence concerning the effectiveness of digital and home-based physical training interventions is mixed overall, though there is limited evidence that specific types of digital and home-based physical training interventions (e.g., online classes and step-based exergames) can be an effective strategy for improving cognitive performance in older adults. However, due to the limited number of available studies, future high-quality studies are needed to buttress this assumption empirically and to allow for more solid and nuanced conclusions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Herold
- Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14476, Germany; Body-Brain-Mind Laboratory, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Paula Theobald
- Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Thomas Gronwald
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg 20457, Germany
| | - Navin Kaushal
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Health & Human Sciences, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Liye Zou
- Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14476, Germany; Body-Brain-Mind Laboratory, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Eling D de Bruin
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Department of Health, OST - Eastern Swiss University of Applied Sciences, St. Gallen 9001, Switzerland
| | - Louis Bherer
- Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada; Department of Medicine, Universite de Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Geriatrie de Montreal, Montreal, QC H3W 1W5, Canada
| | - Notger G Müller
- Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14476, Germany; Body-Brain-Mind Laboratory, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Venek V, Kranzinger C, Jungreitmayr S, Ring-Dimitriou S, Schwameder H, Stöggl T. Influence of 2 Digital Exercise Modules of a Multimodular System on Balance and Leg Strength Under Consideration of Use Adherence: Prospective Cohort Study. JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e36805. [PMID: 36121691 PMCID: PMC9531002 DOI: 10.2196/36805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To empower healthy aging, digital solutions embed multiple modules for physical activity, cognitive health promotion, and social engagement. Integrating new empowering technologies such as digital exercise monitoring requires assessment measures and analysis procedures, considering variable compliance of users with different modules. Objective This study aims to assess the influence of a tablet-based and a feedback system–based exercise module on balance and leg strength by considering use adherence instead of the use of the entire multimodular system. Methods In the prospective cohort study within the fit4AAL project, 83 users (n=67, 81% women; n=16, 19% men; mean age 66.2, SD 2.3 years) used the 2 digital exercise modules of a multimodular physical activity promotion system for >18 weeks. A data-driven clustering method based on the average use frequency of the exercise modules determined the number of user types that met the World Health Organization–recommended training frequency of at least twice per week. On the basis of this use adherence, statistical analysis was performed with features of functional performance tests (unipedal stance, 30-second chair rise, Y-balance, and hurdle step tests). The tests were conducted 6 months before the intervention, immediately before the intervention, and after the intervention, comparing the baseline phase with the 3 feedback use groups of the study (using only the tablet, the tablet and the feedback system, or only the feedback system). Results Of the 83 users, 43 (52%) met the World Health Organization–recommended frequency of muscle-strengthening activities. Overall, the feedback use groups achieved, on average, more chair rises in 30 seconds than the baseline group (P=.01; moderate effect size of 0.07). Of the 43 users, 26 (60%) additionally used the feedback system–based exercise module. They improved in balance compared with the users using either the tablet or the feedback system (P=.02). In addition, they improved their leg strength within the group (P=.04) and compared with the baseline (P=.01). Conclusions The additional use of a feedback system showed a tendency to positively maintain and influence the already exceptionally high functional performance of older adults. Considering use adherence in future multimodular system studies is crucial to assess the influence of single and combined use of exercise modules on functional performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Verena Venek
- Salzburg Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Sonja Jungreitmayr
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Susanne Ring-Dimitriou
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Hermann Schwameder
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Thomas Stöggl
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Red Bull Athletes Performance Center, Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Herold F, Theobald P, Gronwald T, Rapp MA, Müller NG. Going digital - a commentary on the terminology used at the intersection of physical activity and digital health. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act 2022; 19:17. [PMID: 35840899 PMCID: PMC9287128 DOI: 10.1186/s11556-022-00296-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years digital technologies have become a major means for providing health-related services and this trend was strongly reinforced by the current Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As it is well-known that regular physical activity has positive effects on individual physical and mental health and thus is an important prerequisite for healthy aging, digital technologies are also increasingly used to promote unstructured and structured forms of physical activity. However, in the course of this development, several terms (e.g., Digital Health, Electronic Health, Mobile Health, Telehealth, Telemedicine, and Telerehabilitation) have been introduced to refer to the application of digital technologies to provide health-related services such as physical interventions. Unfortunately, the above-mentioned terms are often used in several different ways, but also relatively interchangeably. Given that ambiguous terminology is a major source of difficulty in scientific communication which can impede the progress of theoretical and empirical research, this article aims to make the reader aware of the subtle differences between the relevant terms which are applied at the intersection of physical activity and Digital Health and to provide state-of-art definitions for them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Herold
- Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Paula Theobald
- Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Thomas Gronwald
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael A Rapp
- Research Focus Cognitive Sciences, Division of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Potsdam, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Notger G Müller
- Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| |
Collapse
|