Background/Aims: In parallel with continuing technological advances, eHealth and mHealth technologies are increasingly utilised in the delivery of health intervention programs and management of chronic conditions. The level of use and impact of these technologies in children and adolescent health interventions is yet to be reported. The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate eHealth technologies which have been employed in health interventions for children and adolescents.
Methods: A detailed search strategy was designed and performed in 5 databases; PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase and Web of Science. Abstracts and full text articles were screened and reviewed independently by two authors. Articles were excluded if they did not (a) report the use of eHealth technology to support delivery of an intervention, (b) include children or adolescents (6 – 18 years), (c) target a health issue/behaviour (for example overweight), or (d) report on outcomes of technology use on health issue/behaviour. Full text articles which met each of the inclusion criteria for the systematic review were then independently appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).
Results: Study design, setting and population will be reported and eHealth technologies will be summarised by technology type and/or combination (where multimodal), as well as the health issue/behaviour which the intervention is intended to manage/treat. Common considerations for the use of eHealth technologies in child and adolescent interventions will be presented.
Conclusion: Findings from this systematic review will inform future eHealth interventions in children and adolescents, including management of child overweight and obesity.
Funding source: Nil