Table 1 Characteristics of the included randomized controlled trials that used biometric monitoring devices (BMDs) for measuring outcomes (n = 75)
Characteristic | Trials, no. (%) |
|---|---|
Study design | |
Parallel | 56 (75) |
Cross-over | 15 (20) |
Cluster | 3 (4) |
Factorial | 1 (1) |
Intervention assessed | |
Non-pharmacological | 57 (76) |
Pharmacological | 18 (24) |
Number of patients randomized, mean (SD) | 144 (322) |
Region of the primary author | |
Europe | 36 (48) |
North America | 20 (27) |
Asia | 15 (20) |
South America | 2 (3) |
Africa | 1 (1) |
Oceania | 1 (1) |
Funding | |
Public | 64 (85) |
Private or mixed funding | 7 (9) |
Not reported | 4 (5) |
Medical condition investigated in the study | |
Diabetes | 25 (33) |
Cardiac and vascular diseases (incl. hypertension) | 21 (28) |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 6 (8) |
Cancer | 4 (5) |
Insomnia | 4 (5) |
Renal disease | 2 (3) |
HIV/AIDS | 2 (3) |
Obstructive sleep apnea | 2 (3) |
Osteoarthritis/osteoporosis | 2 (3) |
Psychiatric disorders | 2 (3) |
Multiple sclerosis | 1 (1) |
Psoriasis | 1 (1) |
Rheumatoid arthritis | 1 (1) |
Obesity | 1 (1) |
Spinal cord injury | 1 (1) |
Outcomes measured with BMDs per trial, mean (SD), no. | 6 (8) |
Type of sensor used* | |
Inertial measurement unit sensors | 43 (57) |
Electrochemical sensors (including continuous glucose monitoring) | 21 (28) |
Pressure sensors (including smart cap bottles) | 6 (8) |
Electrodes | 4 (5) |
Temperature sensors | 2 (3) |
Optical sensor | 2 (3) |
Management of missing BMD outcome data | |
Unclear | 26 (35) |
Exclusion of patients with missing outcome data | 25 (33) |
Multiple imputation | 8 (11) |
Use of models robust for missing data | 7 (9) |
Last observation carried forward | 2 (3) |
Value inferred by investigator | 2 (3) |
Missing values considered as failures | 2 (3) |
Other | 3 (4) |
Reporting on management of incomplete BMD outcome data | 24 (32) |