The effectiveness of physical activity interventions on blood pressure in children and adolescents:A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background:High blood pressure(BP)is a major contributor to mortality and cardiovascular diseases.Despite the known benefits of exercise for reducing BP,it is crucial to identify the most effective physical activity(PA)intervention.This systematic review and network meta-analysis(NMA)aimed to evaluate the available evidence on the effectiveness of various PA interventions for reducing BP and to determine their hierarchy based on their impact on BP.Methods:A search of PubMed,SPORTDiscus,PsycINFO,Web of Science,CINAHL,Cochrane,and Eric databases was conducted up to December 2022 for this systematic review and NMA.Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies targeting healthy children and adolescents aged 6-12 years old were included in this study.Only studies that compared controlled and intervention groups using PA or exercise as the major influence were included.We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA)guidelines.Three independent investigators performed the literature screening,data extraction,and risk of bias assessment.We used Bayesian arm-based NMA to synthesize the data.The primary outcomes were systolic BP and diastolic BP.We calculated the mean differences(MDs)in systolic BP and diastolic BP before and after treatment.Mean treatment differences were estimated using NMA and random-effect models.Results:We synthesized 27 studies involving 15,220 children and adolescents.PA combined with nutrition and behavior change was the most effective intervention for reducing both systolic BP and diastolic BP(MD=-8.64,95%credible interval(95%CI):-11.44 to-5.84;MD=-6.75,95%CI:-10.44 to-3.11),followed by interventions with multiple components(MD=-1.39,95%CI:-1.94 to-0.84;MD=-2.54,95%CI:-4.89 to-0.29).Conclusion:Our findings suggest that PA interventions incorporating nutrition and behavior change,followed by interventions with multiple components,are most effective for reducing both systolic BP and diastolic BP in children and adolescents.

Effects of personalized exercise prescriptions and social media delivered through mobile health on cancer survivors’physical activity and quality of life

Purpose This study aimed to examine the effects of a multi-component mobile health intervention(wearable,apps,and social media)on cancer survivors’(CS')physical activity(PA),quality of life,and PA determinants compared to exercise prescription only,social media only,and attention control conditions.Methods A total of 126 CS(age=60.37±7.41 years,mean±SD)were recruited from the United States.The study duration was 6 months and participants were randomly placed into 4 groups.All participants received a Fitbit tracker and were instructed to install its companion app to monitor their daily PA.They(1)received previously established weekly personalized exercise prescriptions via email,(2)received weekly Facebook health education and interacted with one another,(3)received both Conditions 1 and 2,or(4)were part of the control condition,meaning they adopted usual care.CS PA daily steps,quality of life(i.e.,physical health and mental health),and PA determinants(e.g.,self-efficacy,social support)were measured at baseline,3 months,and 6 months.Results The final sample size included 123 CS.The results revealed only the multi-component condition had greater improvements in PA daily steps than the control condition post-intervention(95%confidence interval(95%CI):368–2951;p<0.05).Similarly,those in the multi-component condition had significantly greater increased physical health than the control condition(95%CI:–0.41 to–0.01;p<0.05)over time.In addition,the social media condition had significantly greater increased perceived social support than the control condition(95%CI:0.01–0.93;p<0.05).No other significant differences on outcomes were identified.Conclusion The study findings suggest that the implementation of a multi-component mobile health intervention had positive effects on CS PA steps and physical health.Also,offering social media intervention has the potential to improve CS perceived social support.