Adding Mobile Elements to Online Physical Activity Interventions Targeted at Adults Aged 50 Years and Older: Protocol for a Systematic Design

Abstract

Background Physical activity (PA) can increase mental and physical health in adults aged 50 years and older. However, it has been shown that PA guidelines are often not met within this population. Therefore, our research group developed 2 computer-tailored intervention programs in the last decade to stimulate PA: Active Plus and I Move. Although these programs were proven effective, positive effects diminished over time and attrition rates were relatively high. To respond to this, we will integrate 3 interactive mobile elements into the existing programs: activity tracker, ecological momentary intervention program, and virtual coach app. Objective The goal of the research is to define systematic and evidence-based steps for extending our online computer-based PA intervention programs with 3 interactive mobile elements. Methods Components often included in other (eHealth) design models were identified as key components and served as a base for the definition of systematic steps: exploration of context, involvement of the target population, prototype and intervention testing, and implementation. Based on these key components, 10 systematic steps were defined. The initial step is a literature search, with the results serving as a base for development of the low-fidelity prototypes in step 2. The pilot phase comprises the 3rd to 6th steps and includes semistructured interviews, pilot tests, and adaptations of the prototypes with intensive involvement of the target population of adults aged 50 years and older, where particular attention will be paid to lower educated persons. The 7th step is an effect evaluation in the form of a randomized controlled trial. During the 8th step, the most effective intervention programs will be selected and reinforced. These reinforced intervention programs will be used during the design of an implementation plan in the 9th step and the subsequent field study in the 10th step. Results The project will be executed from December 2019 to December 2023. During this period, the systematic approach presented will be practically executed according to the methodological procedures described. Conclusions Based on the 4 identified key components, we were able to design an evidence-based systematic design approach for separately adding 3 mobile elements to our existing online PA intervention programs. The 10 steps are presented as a useful approach to guide future eHealth design studies. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/31677

Adding Mobile Elements to Online Physical Activity Interventions for Adults Aged Over 50 Years: Prototype Development Study

“…The design of a systematic approach [ 28 ] prior to starting the prototype development is considered a strength of our study since it contributed to the preservation of the already proven effectiveness of the original computer-based Active Plus [ 10 ] and I Move [ 11 ] interventions. Additionally, the intention of co-designing the prototypes with our target population of adults aged 50 years and over is a strength since it has been shown to be crucial for successful eHealth design [ 59 , 60 ].…”

“…The prototype development phase of the systematic design approach [ 28 ] comprised 6 steps. A schematic overview of these steps and their relationship to subsequent steps of the systematic approach is provided in Figure 1 .…”

“…Directly after receiving the second advice of Active Plus or completing the second session of I Move , participants were asked to fill in an online usability and acceptability questionnaire. This questionnaire and the daily testing diary were both based on a combination of validated tools and models, such as the System Usability Scale (SUS) [ 37 ], the TAM [ 35 ], and the UTAUT [ 34 ], earlier extensively described in a design protocol paper [ 28 ]. A schematic overview of the pilot tests procedure is shown in Figure 2 .…”

“…All aforementioned procedures, being part of the prototype development phase of the systematic design approach [ 28 ], were approved by the central ethical review committee of the Open University of the Netherlands (approval no. U202004903, approval date July 7, 2020).…”

“…As described in a design paper [ 28 ], during the renewal of the interventions, a systematic design approach was used to preserve and further strengthen the already proven effectiveness of the computer-based Active Plus [ 10 ] and I Move [ 11 ] interventions. Efforts were made to involve the target population, which has been shown to be an essential factor for successful eHealth and mobile health (mHealth) development [ 29 , 30 ].…”