Effectiveness of the Internet of Things for Improving Health of Non-Pregnant Women Living in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Background/Objectives: There is increased advocacy for the potential for digital applications (Apps) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve women’s health. We conducted a systematic review to assess and synthesize the role of Apps and the IoT in improving the health of non-pregnant women. Methods: Six databases were searched from inception to February 13, 2023. We included randomised controlled trials that assessed the effects of various Apps and the IoT with regard to improving the health of non-pregnant women in high-income countries. Our primary outcomes were health status and well-being or quality of life, and we assessed behaviour change as the secondary outcome. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed in duplicate. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. Narrative methods were used to synthesise study outcomes. Results: The search retrieved 18,433 publications and seven publications from six studies met the inclusion criteria. Participants included overweight or obese women, postmenopausal women, or women with stage I-III breast cancer. Intervention types varied across included studies but broadly included wearable or sensor-based personal health tracking digital technologies. The most commonly assessed intervention effect was on behaviour change outcomes related to promoting physical activity. Interventions administered yielded positive effects on health outcomes and well-being or quality of life in one study each, while three of the four studies that assessed behaviour change reported significant positive effects. Most included studies had methodological concerns, while study designs and methodologies lacked comparability. Conclusions: Based on our findings, the use of Apps and the IoT may be promising for facilitating behaviour change to promote physical activity. More evidence is needed to assess the effectiveness of the IoT for improving health status, well-being and quality of life among non-pregnant women.