The Effectiveness of Technology-Based Strategies to Promote Engagement with Digital Interventions (Systematic Review Protocol)
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Abstract
Background
Digital interventions (DIs) provide effective models for improving health outcomes as they present a pathway that delivers health information and services that are tailored, widely disseminated, private and potentially cost-effective. DIs have been used successfully in many health domains including dietary behaviour, physical activity, Self-management of long term conditions such as diabetes and alcohol consumption. It has been suggested that the effectiveness of DIs correlates positively with its usage. However, low engagement rate with DIs is a major challenge as many studies reported that usage declines over time. Hence it is crucial to find cost-effective strategies to increase user engagement with DIs. This systematic review will determine the range and effectiveness of technology-based strategies to promote engagement with DIs.
Methods:
The review will follow Cochrane Collaboration guidelines on proper conduct. Included studies will be randomised controlled trials of technological prompts which were intended to increase user engagement with digital interventions to promote health. Digital interventions were defined as programs that provide information and support (emotional and/or behaviour support) for physical and/or mental health problems via a digital platform (i.e. website, computer). Technology-based engagement-promoting strategies were defined as external digital and analogue technology methods used to promote user’s regular interaction with all or part of a DI; including but not limited to automated phone calls via landline or mobile phones, text messages, multimedia messages, e-mails, smart phone applications, e-forums, social network sites, faxes. Comparators will include non-technological prompts (e.g. post letters from a health professional) or no prompts. Primary outcomes will include website metrics (e.g. number of DI log-ins), and secondary outcomes include health-related, economic and adverse outcomes. A search strategy was developed from 164 terms identified from existing literature and expert advice, and executed across seven databases (MEDLINE,CENTRAL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, ERIC, ISI web of Science and CINAHL). Reference lists of included studies will be checked for eligible studies. Titles and abstracts will be independently screened by two reviewers, and full texts of studies that meet eligibility criteria will be extracted. Data will be described narratively with descriptive cross-tabulation. If possible, data will be pooled using meta-analysis. Sources of heterogeneity will be further investigated if required.
Results:
Research in Progress
Conclusion
Results of this review will enable researchers and DI providers to make optimal use of technological prompts to enhance engagement with DIs.
Digital interventions (DIs) provide effective models for improving health outcomes as they present a pathway that delivers health information and services that are tailored, widely disseminated, private and potentially cost-effective. DIs have been used successfully in many health domains including dietary behaviour, physical activity, Self-management of long term conditions such as diabetes and alcohol consumption. It has been suggested that the effectiveness of DIs correlates positively with its usage. However, low engagement rate with DIs is a major challenge as many studies reported that usage declines over time. Hence it is crucial to find cost-effective strategies to increase user engagement with DIs. This systematic review will determine the range and effectiveness of technology-based strategies to promote engagement with DIs.
Methods:
The review will follow Cochrane Collaboration guidelines on proper conduct. Included studies will be randomised controlled trials of technological prompts which were intended to increase user engagement with digital interventions to promote health. Digital interventions were defined as programs that provide information and support (emotional and/or behaviour support) for physical and/or mental health problems via a digital platform (i.e. website, computer). Technology-based engagement-promoting strategies were defined as external digital and analogue technology methods used to promote user’s regular interaction with all or part of a DI; including but not limited to automated phone calls via landline or mobile phones, text messages, multimedia messages, e-mails, smart phone applications, e-forums, social network sites, faxes. Comparators will include non-technological prompts (e.g. post letters from a health professional) or no prompts. Primary outcomes will include website metrics (e.g. number of DI log-ins), and secondary outcomes include health-related, economic and adverse outcomes. A search strategy was developed from 164 terms identified from existing literature and expert advice, and executed across seven databases (MEDLINE,CENTRAL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, ERIC, ISI web of Science and CINAHL). Reference lists of included studies will be checked for eligible studies. Titles and abstracts will be independently screened by two reviewers, and full texts of studies that meet eligibility criteria will be extracted. Data will be described narratively with descriptive cross-tabulation. If possible, data will be pooled using meta-analysis. Sources of heterogeneity will be further investigated if required.
Results:
Research in Progress
Conclusion
Results of this review will enable researchers and DI providers to make optimal use of technological prompts to enhance engagement with DIs.
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