Telehealth to Improve Physical Activity in Adults with Diabetes Mellitus: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Physical activity has been evaluated to decrease mortality rates in people with diabetes mellitus. After the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare delivery was leaned towards telemedicine or telehealth to conduct social distancing. The primary aim of this review is to evaluate formats and strategies used in telemedicine to improve physical activity in adults with diabetes mellitus. ProQuest, Medline, and CINAHL were searched for studies involving adults with diabetes mellitus (>18 years old); telemedicine; and physical activity outcomes. The quality of the studies was appraised using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklists for risk of bias, study design, and quality of evidence. Data syntheses were conducted following simplified approach by Popay et al. Themes were developed based on the findings. Five randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. The risk of bias was determined low in most of the studies. Text messages were the most common method. Pedometer, accelerometer, and International Physical Activity Questionnaires were commonly used to quantify the level of physical activity. Frequent reminders using text messages to the participants were the common strategy to ensure their adherence. The telehealth intervention has not yet shown significant positive effects on physical activity in people with diabetes mellitus. Further studies conducting synchronous and hybrid telehealth to improve physical activity in adults with diabetes mellitus were needed.