Digital Health Intervention Effect on Older Adults With Chronic Diseases Living Alone: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: The incidence of chronic diseases is increasing owing to the aging population; in particular, older adults living alone struggle with self-management and medical expenses. Digital health can contribute to medical cost management and health promotion, but its effectiveness for older adults living alone remains unclear. In a rapidly aging society, it is important to demonstrate the effect of digital health on improving the lives of older adults living alone and reducing the burden of chronic diseases. Objective: This study aims to examine the intervention effects of digital health on self-management, quality of life, and medical factors for older adults living alone with common chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and musculoskeletal disorders through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Methods: We searched the literature using 3 databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL, for literature published in overseas academic journals up to October 2024. The final 11 papers were used for analysis based on selection and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was used to calculate the mean difference and standardized mean difference (SMD) for the selected literature using RevMan (version 5.4; Cochrane). The effect size and heterogeneity were calculated through 95% CI. Results: As a result of conducting a meta-analysis of 8 of 11 documents, there was a significant effect of self-management factors on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (SMD=0.08; z=2.07; P=.04). However, among self-management factors, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (SMD=-0.04; z=0.91; P=.36) did not show statistically significant results. Among the medical factors, general quality of life (SMD=0.11; z=0.93; P=.35), depression (SMD=-3.95; z=1.59; P=.11), and hospital days (SMD=-1.57; z=0.91; P=.36) also did not show statistically significant results. However, it was confirmed that they improved after a digital health intervention. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that digital health interventions are effective in improving physical activity in older adults with chronic diseases living alone. However, owing to the characteristics of older adults living alone, there is a need to further expand digital health to combine care services that can manage diseases at home.