A Systematic Review of Web-based Physical Activity Interventions for Individuals with Disabilities

Abstract

Given the barriers to physical activity (PA) that people with disabilities face, web-based PA interventions have garnered attention to promote their engagement in PA. However, previous studies have yielded inconsistent results regarding the impact of these interventions on PA among peoples with disabilities. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of web-based PA interventions on PA in peoples with disabilities. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were adopted as the framework for this review. Four databases—Academic Search Complete, Medline Complete, PsycINFO, and Web of Science—were searched, and three coders independently reviewed the retrieved studies. A total of nine studies were included in this review. These studies comprised a combined sample size of 314 participants, with 192 in the experimental groups and 122 in the control groups. The web-based interventions examined in these studies fell into four categories: 1) application-based, 2) text messaging, 3) video/phone calls, and 4) web platforms. Of the nine studies, four reported significant and positive effects on PA among people with disabilities. However, the remaining studies found no significant effects. Given these inconclusive findings, further research is warranted to ascertain the effectiveness of web-based PA interventions. Future studies should focus on identifying and addressing the barriers that participants may face in accessing these interventions.