Digital-based physical activity interventions implemented across the League of Arab States: a scoping review

This scoping review investigates the use and impact of digital-based physical activity (PA) interventions in Arabic-speaking countries. These technologies have dramatically transformed healthcare management and offer a valuable tool for managing non-communicable diseases. Despite challenges such as limited healthcare access and cultural norms, these tools enable health promotion, preventive care, and personalized health plans. The aim of this scoping review is to evaluate the effectiveness of digital-based PA interventions, such as mobile apps, used across the League of Arab States. PRISMA-ScR guidelines were applied to conduct this scoping review across 10 databases using pertinent search terms for relevant studies published between 2010 and December 2024 to identify publications conducted across Arab countries. Sixteen studies on digital-based PA interventions in four Arab countries were analyzed. The most effective interventions blended various digital and educational strategies, leading to significant increases in PA levels and associated anthropometric outcomes. Despite promising results, there was no evidence that the interventions' effects were sustained over the long term, and the studies' geographical coverage was limited, emphasizing the need for larger-scale, diverse studies to assess long-term effectiveness of digital-based PA interventions.