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Dynamic platform shows no difference from static platform when moderated by social supportPersonalized digital tools may boost physical activity and diet habits

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Key Takeaway
Note that social support did not significantly moderate the effects of dynamic versus static digital platforms.

This multicenter randomized controlled trial enrolled 980 healthy adults (396 men, 584 women) across Italy, Spain, and Greece to evaluate digital intervention platforms. The study compared a dynamic platform, which included goal-setting, tailored recommendations, personalized pathways, and real-time feedback, against a static platform providing general information and self-monitoring without personalization.

The primary outcome was physical activity levels, while secondary outcomes included Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) scores. Over a 6-month follow-up period, the study assessed whether social support or social integration acted as moderators for these outcomes. The results indicated no significant moderating effects of social support or social integration on either physical activity promotion or Mediterranean diet adherence.

Safety data, including adverse events and tolerability, were not reported. Limitations of the study include a short follow-up duration of 6 months, specific participant characteristics, and a need for more granular assessment of social support dimensions. Clinical application is limited by these factors; however, the results suggest that in this cohort, social factors did not significantly moderate the efficacy of the digital interventions provided.

Staying active and eating well is a constant challenge for many people. Researchers wanted to see if a personalized digital platform could make these habits easier to maintain compared to a standard information-based app. They followed nearly 1,000 healthy adults over six months to see what actually moved the needle.

The study found that the dynamic platform, which offered tailored goals and real-time feedback, was effective in promoting physical activity. Interestingly, the researchers looked into whether having a strong social circle or feeling well integrated into a community changed how well these digital tools worked. They found no evidence that social support significantly changed the results for either exercise or diet habits.

While the findings are promising for digital health tools, there are some things to keep in mind. The study only lasted six months, and it focused on a specific group of healthy adults. Because the timeframe was short, we don't know if these effects last for years. These results suggest that personalized technology can be a powerful tool for personal health goals.

What this means for you:
Personalized digital tools can help people stay active even without extra social support.

Common questions

Does having a supportive social circle make these apps work better?

The study found no significant evidence that social support or social integration changed how well the digital tools worked. Whether you have a large support system or not, the personalized platform was still effective at promoting physical activity and diet habits for the participants involved.

Who participated in this study?

The trial included 980 healthy adults living in Italy, Spain, and Greece. The group consisted of 396 men and 584 women who were tested over a period of six months.

How did the personalized platform work?

The dynamic platform provided several features to help users: goal-setting, tailored recommendations, personalized pathways, and real-time feedback. This was compared against a static platform that only offered general information and self-monitoring without any personalization.

Study Details

Study typeRct
Sample sizen = 980
EvidenceLevel 2
Follow-up6.0 mo
PublishedAug 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle-characterized by nutritious dietary patterns and regular physical activity-remains a persistent challenge for many individuals. Social support has been identified as a critical facilitator of successful lifestyle modification and long-term adherence. This study reports 6-month follow-up findings from 980 healthy adults (396 men, 584 women; median age: 43 years) residing in Italy, Spain, and Greece who participated in the Credits4Health (C4H) multicenter randomized controlled trial. We investigated whether social support and social integration moderated the efficacy of a digital health intervention designed to promote physical activity and Mediterranean diet adherence. Participants were randomized to either a dynamic platform (experimental arm: goal-setting, tailored recommendations, personalized pathways, and real-time feedback) or a static platform (control arm: general information and self-monitoring without personalization). METHODS: We employed mixed-effects ordinal and linear regression models to examine the effect of platform assignment (dynamic vs. static) on physical activity levels and Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) scores, stratified by social support and social integration subcategories. Likelihood ratio tests were conducted to assess potential interactions between social support/integration variables and platform assignment by comparing models with and without interaction terms. RESULTS: Analysis of data from 980 participants revealed no significant moderating effects of any social support or social integration subcategories on intervention efficacy for either physical activity promotion or Mediterranean diet adherence. CONCLUSION: This study found no evidence that social support or social integration moderate the efficacy of digital interventions targeting physical activity and adherence to Mediterranean diet. These null findings may reflect the study's 6-month duration or participation characteristics. Future investigations employing longer follow-up periods, enhanced participant engagement strategies, and more granular assessment of social support dimensions are warranted to better understand how social factors may influence the efficacy of digital health interventions, particularly as such technologies become increasingly prevalent in public health promotion.
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