This meta-analysis combined data from 43 randomized controlled trials involving healthy school-aged children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years. The researchers looked at global interventions based on the use of digital tools to see if they could improve physical activity. The primary outcomes measured were daily step count and minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day.
The results showed a significant increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity minutes. However, there was no significant overall effect on daily step count. The data suggests that while these digital tools can help children move harder or faster, they do not necessarily increase the total number of steps taken.
The study had some limitations. About 28 percent of the included studies were judged to have a high risk of bias. Additionally, the generalizability of these digital interventions remains limited. Safety concerns were not reported in the source data. Future interventions should be carefully tailored, taking into consideration specific factors such as the type of digital tool, the delivery device, and the integration of supportive non-digital elements to enhance effectiveness.