Background: Technology-mediated interventions help overcome barriers to program delivery and spread metabolic syndrome prevention programs on a large scale. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of these technology-mediated interventions on metabolic syndrome prevention.
Methods: In this meta-analysis, from 30 January 2018, three databases were searched to evaluate interventions using techniques to propagate diet and exercise lifestyle programs for adult patients with metabolic syndrome or metabolic risk.
Results: Search results found 535 citations. Of these, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria analyzed in this article. The median duration of intervention was 4 months and the follow-up period ranged from 1.5 to 30 months. The standardized mean difference (SMD) between the two groups was waist circumference -0.35 (95% CI -0.54, -0.15), triglyceride -0.14 (95% CI -0.26, -0.03), fasting blood glucose -0.31 (95% CI -0.42, -0.19), body weight -1.34 (95% CI -2.04, -0.64), and body mass index -1.36 (95% CI -2.21, -0.51). There was no publication bias in this study.
Conclusion: Technology-mediated intervention improved clinically important metabolic syndrome related indicators such as excess body fat around the waist, fasting glucose, and body mass index. These interventions will play an important role in the dissemination of metabolic syndrome prevention programs.
Keywords: meta-analysis; metabolic syndrome; prevention and control; technology; telemedicine.