Effect of intervention programs in schools to reduce screen time: A meta-analysis

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Citation: Friedrich R.R., Polet J.P., Schuch I., & Wagner M.B. (2014). Effect of intervention programs in schools to reduce screen time: A meta-analysis. Jornal de Pediatria, 90(3), 232-241.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effects of intervention program strategies on the time spent on activities such as watching television, playing videogames, and using the computer among schoolchildren.
SOURCES: a search for randomized controlled trials available in the literature was performed in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Lilacs, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library using the following Keywords randomized controlled trial, intervention studies, sedentary lifestyle, screen time, and school. A summary measure based on the standardized mean difference was used with a 95% confidence interval.
DATA SYNTHESIS: a total of 1,552 studies were identified, of which 16 were included in the meta-analysis. The interventions in the randomized controlled trials (n=8,785) showed a significant effect in reducing screen time, with a standardized mean difference (random effect) of: -0.25 (-0.37, -0.13), p<0.01.
CONCLUSION: interventions have demonstrated the positive effects of the decrease of screen time among schoolchildren.

Keywords: Behaviour Modification (e.g., provision of item/tool, incentives, goal setting), Day Care Centre, Grade school aged (5-12 years), Meta-analysis, Physical Activity, School, Youth Health