Table 3 Main findings from the paper included in the narrative content analysis

2021

Okop K.J. et al. [94]

South Africa

5

1.5

4.5

4.5

15.5

Case study on participatory action research (PAR)

Co-creative approach with scientists and citizens who participate together in creating new understandings and a shared agenda, using tablets to facilitate data gathering discussion. The involvement of relevant stakeholders facilitates the training of “citizen scientists”, operating to increase the awareness of CVD risk and the importance of proper lifestyles.

2021

Maxwell et al. [95]

Australia

2

4

4.5

4.5

15

Interview based pilot case study

Focus on the relevance of digital tools in fostering PASA. The study reveals that m-health enhances health by increasing: (i) health literacy; (ii) motivation to exercise; and (iii) accountability about impact of PASA in wellbeing. It identifies technical issues as the main barrier for the use of m-health for fostering PASA.

2020

Monteiro-Guerra F. et al. [96]

Spain

2

4.5

1.5

5

13

Scoping literature review

User engagement via m-health enhances better results of PASA towards wellbeing. The engagement and awareness (co-production) of users are due to the following features to be contained in a physical training APP: (1) Feedback; (2) User Targeting; (3) Goal Setting; (4) Inter-Human Interaction; (5) Adaptation; and (6) Context Awareness; Self Learning.

2020

Harris M.A. & Crone D. [97]

United Kingdom

3.5

5

1

4.5

14

Case study on mobile app physical activity development. Based on

focus groups to enucleate positive points and barriers.

The study describes a pilot intervention aiming at a community-wide gamification based physical activity intervention on behalf of Sport England in the City of Wolverhampton. It identifies why participants decided to be engaged and the barriers to participation they encountered.

2020

Kim Y. et al. [98]

Republic of Korea

4

4.5

1

3.5

13

Literature review + explorative case study on real-life setting by focus group interviews.

Based on LR findings, the study analyses the co-development of a mobile app to foster PASA in a sedentary population of migrants with high CVD risk. The remote monitoring the physical, mental, and social health (considering also their specific cultural features) of users led to a change in their behaviours, also favouring inclusion and access to healthcare for early detection of illnesses.

2019

Su J.J.

& Yu D.S.F. [99]

China

3

2

4.5

4

13.5

Case study designed on single-blinded two-arm parallel randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of an eHealth CR with usual care on the behavioural and clinical outcomes of patients with CHD who were admitted for disease exacerbation.

The study shows an ongoing nurse-led eHealth cardiac rehabilitation intervention investigating its effects on: lifestyle behaviour, self-efficacy, health-related quality of life and service use. The study employs a hybrid approach guided by an empowerment model. The intervention content and web-design are based on international guidelines and national culturally appropriated recommendations.

2018

Sankaran S. et al. [100]

Belgium

3.5

4

5

5

17

Case study on hearth rehabilitation with two lenses of observation:

- Medication adherence

- Physical activities.

The paper highlights how the intelligibility of improvements (or failures) through a mobile app in physical rehabilitation is a pre-requisite for protocol success. This happens when you: (i) inform the users; (ii) provide feedback; (iii) enforce identity and action disclosure; and (iv) provide control. Both medication and physical exercise adherence behave in the same way within rehabilitation protocols. A greater training adherence is due to making the reasoning behind PASA in heart disease tele-rehabilitation intelligible.

2017

Zhang H. et al. [101]

Singapore

3

2

4

4

13

Pilot case study based on a randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed at examining the feasibility and efficacy of a newly developed 4-week smartphone based coronary heart disease prevention (SBCHDP) programme in improving awareness and knowledge of CHD, perceived stress and heart-related lifestyle behaviours among the working population of Singapore.

Compared to the control group, there were more participants in the intervention group who were aware that CHD is the second leading cause of death.

The study affirmed that chronic disease prevention via mobile devices is feasible and effective due to its convenience. It represents a convenient, affordable, and accessible method for a substantial proportion of the population.

2017

Jennings C.A. et al. [102]

Canada

2

4.5

1

5

12.5

Case study description of the development of UWALK (eHealth based physical activities promotion program), which is based on the RE-AIM model

The paper highlights the importance of the involvement of citizens and promotion of healthy lifestyles. The UWALK program, aimed at fostering wellbeing by monitoring physical activities through mobile apps (either connected to tracking sensor devices or manually filled by information about exercises carried out), was strongly based on a communication campaign that enhanced the participation and awareness of patients about the issue and predisposition to usage of the app.

2016

Mercer K. et al. [103]

Canada

2

5

1

4

12

Case study based on qualitative research with 32 participants aged between 52 and 85 years who were at risk or had a pathology, using the most common (in 2014) trackers in Canada

The study examines the usability and usefulness of wearable activity trackers for older adults with chronic illnesses, as a first step to better understand how wearable fitness trackers can help older adults become healthier. All the wearable activity trackers tested had a similar score for each item, and 22 of the 30 participants who completed the study said they would purchase a wearable activity tracker.