Use of educational technologies in the promotion of children’s cardiovascular health: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of educational technologies for cardiovascular health promotion in children. Methods: A systematic review was carried out through a search in Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde, Comissão de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal do Nível Superior, EBSCOHot Information Services, and US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health databases, using the descriptors: play and plaything, cardiovascular diseases, child, and health promotion, between 2012 and 2019. Results: Eight articles were selected for this review. The identified technologies were based on low-tech interventions, such as play workshops, using tools such as CARDIOKIDS, the SI! program, MOVI-2, and activities with wide-ranging digital tools such as Fooya!, Fit2PlayTM, and the exergame cycling program. Conclusions: It is noteworthy that all of the analyzed interventions were effective and those that involved playing were better accepted by the children.