Is exercise a medicine provided by digital therapeutics for people with NCDs? A scoping review protocol

Physical activity is widely recognised as effective in preventing and managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Digital health innovations can facilitate the delivery of physical exercise programs for this population. Digital therapeutics (DTx) could transform healthcare delivery, including how digital exercise therapy is provided. We aim to perform a scoping review to systematically explore whether and how exercise is provided by DTx for preventing and managing NCDs.
This protocol follows the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews and is reported according to JBI best practice guidance. A comprehensive search strategy will be performed in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane, PEDro and Google to identify existing DTx for preventing and treating NCDs, and which of those provide exercise therapy as intervention. Key data of the included studies will be charted descriptively and supplemented by summary tables.
This scoping review does not require ethics review and approval. Our target audience for this review will be DTx manufacturers, health policy makers, clinicians, researchers, patients and other relevant stakeholders, in order to highlight gaps and potential of physical exercise provided by DTx. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, online platforms and conference presentations.
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Our review holds particular relevance for both the rehabilitation science and digital health fields. Digital therapeutics (DTx) are evidence-based, software-driven interventions designed to prevent, manage, or treat medical conditions. Comprehensive rehabilitation is essential for enhancing the wellbeing of individuals with chronic health conditions, and its efficacy in managing NCDs is well-established. By mapping the extent and nature of exercise provision within digital therapeutics, we aim to identify gaps and opportunities for future development and implementation.