Effects of technology-enhanced physical activity on brain and mental health in youth: An umbrella review of meta-analyses

Table 4 Summary of included systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Ref.	Year	Country	Number of studies	Sample size	Intervention	Outcome measure	Limitations
HughJones et al[24]	2020	United Kingdom	20	20 studies (RCT and non-RCT)	School-based prevention interventions for anxiety (cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, skills training etc.)	Anxiety symptoms reduction (various scales used)	Heterogeneity in setting and delivery
Bennett et al[23]	2019	Multi-country (Mainly United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany)	NR	N = 3396 (self-help); n = 1100 (face-to-face); n = 2366 (control)	Unguided and guided self-help (bibliotherapy, computerised, online materials)	Depression, anxiety, disruptive behaviour symptoms, treatment acceptability	Lacked EF/CF outcomes
Cristea et al[22]	2015	Multi-country (Mainly Romania, Italy, Netherlands, United States)	NR	23 RCTs, n = 28 per condition	CBM, including attention bias modification and interpretation bias modification (CBM-I)	MH symptoms (anxiety, depression), cognitive bias change, treatment acceptability	Short duration; mostly single-session
Chen and Wilkosz[17]	2014	United States	14	14 studies included; n ranged from 21 to 473 per study	Technology-based interventions (internet-based programs, active video games) focused on diet and PA	BMI, body fat percentage, PA level, dietary behavior, psychosocial outcomes	Mixed tech modalities; small sample
Hao et al[15]	2024	Multi-country (Mainly United States, Australia, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Belgium)	18	18 studies included; n ranged from 8 to 51 per study	Home-based VR rehabilitation (Nintendo Wii, Kinect, customized VR systems, VR-integrated constraint-induced therapy)	Motor function (upper extremity, gross motor), strength, balance, bone density, cognition, daily activity performance, Participation	Cerebral palsy only; small samples
Henderson et al[20]	2025	Multi-country (Mainly Canada, United States, Australia, Europe)	NR	73 RCTs included; Total n = 6305; 53% female	Behavioural and psychological interventions including PA, nutrition, psychological therapy, technology-based, multicomponent interventions	BMI, BMI z-score, weight, health-related quality of life, anxiety, depression, cardiometabolic outcomes (blood pressure, lipids, insulin resistance), adverse events	No subgroup; varied designs
Lalanza et al[19]	2023	Multi-country (Mainly Spain, United States, Netherlands, Australia)	143	143 studies included; n varies across studies	HRV biofeedback with different protocols: Optimal RF, individual RF, preset-pace RF	Cardiovascular health, MH (anxiety, stress reduction), performance outcomes, HRV parameters	Varied tech tools; lacked follow-up
Langarizadeh et al[16]	2021	Multi-country (Mainly United States, Canada, Australia, Italy, Sweden)	9	9 studies included; n = 19 to 361 per study; Total n = 978	Mobile app-based interventions for weight management (diet, PA, behavior change)	Body weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, PA level (step count)	No EF/CF analysis
Li et al[21]	2021	China	NR	50 students in a middle school	Exercise intervention based on medical imaging monitoring; different intensities (low, medium, high) aerobic exercise intervention	Inhibitory control function (stroop task response time and accuracy), cardiopulmonary function, vital capacity, step test index	No control group; varying protocols

BMI: Body mass index; CBM: Cognitive bias modification; CF: Cognitive function; EF: Executive function; HRV: Heart rate variability; MH: Mental health; NR: Not reported; PA: Physical activity; RCTs: Randomized controlled trials; RF: Radio frequency; VR: Virtual reality.