The Effectiveness of Instant Messaging-Based Interventions on Health Behavior Change: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Instant messaging-based applications are increasingly used to deliver interventions designed to promote health behavior change. However, the effectiveness of these interventions has not been evaluated.

Aims: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of instant messaging-based interventions on health behavior change, addressing a gap in the literature regarding the impact of instant messaging on various health behaviors.

Methods: We conducted comprehensive searches of six electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus, and Web of Science) from their inception until July 2024, utilizing terms related to health behavior and instant messaging. Two authors independently screened studies and extracted data. Randomized controlled trials published in English that investigated the effects of instant messaging-based interventions on health behavior change, including physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, diet/nutrition, cancer screening, smoking cessation, and alcohol consumption were included. We used the revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool to assess the quality of the studies.

Results: Fifty-seven randomized controlled trials published between 2014 and 2024 were included. The results showed that compared with the control groups, instant messaging-based interventions had statistically significant differences in physical activity (SMD = 0.52, 95% CI [0.21, 0.83], p < 0.001) and sleep (SMD = -0.93, 95% CI [-1.44, -0.42], p < 0.001). It also significantly impacted smoking cessation (OR = 1.88, 95% CI [1.28, 2.7], p < 0.001). However, it did not influence sedentary behavior (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI [-0.24, 0.74], p = 0.01) or diet/nutrition (SMD = 0.01, 95% CI [-0.31, 0.34], p < 0.001).

Linking Evidence To Action: Instant messaging-based interventions are promising in enhancing health behavior change, including physical activity, sleep, and smoking cessation. Leveraging real-time communication and multimedia content can improve patient engagement and intervention effectiveness.