The Role of Environmental Factors in Technology-Assisted Physical Activity Intervention Studies Among Older Adults: Scoping Review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The rapidly emerging integration of both technological applications and environmental factors in physical activity (PA) interventions among older adults highlights the need for an overarching investigation. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review compiled the current literature and aimed to provide an overview of the role of physical, social, socioeconomic, and systemic environmental factors in technology-assisted PA interventions for older adults. METHODS: We systematically searched 6 common databases up to September 16, 2024, for original longitudinal studies (with at least one preintervention measurement and one postintervention measurement) that reported on the role of environmental factors in technology-assisted PA interventions for independently living, community-dwelling older adults. In a stepwise process, data on study characteristics (step 1), environmental factors and their role in the included studies (step 2), and intervention outcomes and effects by type of environmental factor (step 3) were summarized. RESULTS: A total of 8020 articles were screened, and 25 (0.31%) were included. Most studies were conducted in Europe (11/25, 44%), followed by North America (5/25, 20%), Asia (5/25, 20%), and Oceania (4/25, 16%). Social environmental factors were most often considered (19/25, 76%), followed by factors from the physical (8/25, 32%), socioeconomic (1/25, 4%), and systemic environment (1/25, 4%). Environmental factors were used as the outcome (8/25, 32%), setting variable (7/25, 28%), moderator or facilitator (8/25, 32%), and intervention component (3/25, 12%). In most studies (19/25, 76%), the intervention had a beneficial effect on the outcome of interest, and the included environmental factor played a supportive role in achieving this effect. In some studies, no effect (3/25, 12%), mixed effects (2/25, 8%), or adverse effects (1/25, 4%) of the interventions were reported. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first comprehensive description of how environmental factors interact with technology-assisted interventions to increase or optimize PA in older adults. It was found that the investigation of environmental factors in this field is at an early stage. Environmental factors were found to play a supportive role in achieving beneficial effects of technology-assisted PA interventions, but the findings were based on a heterogeneous empirical platform. Still, certain aspects such as the application of virtual reality environments and social (or peer) comparison have shown significant potential that remains to be leveraged. A better understanding of intervention results and support in tailoring intervention programs can be provided through the inclusion of environmental aspects in technology-assisted PA interventions for older adults.