An Evaluation of a Commercialized mHealth Intervention to Promote Physical Activity in the Workplace

Sebastiano, Katie M. Di; Lau, Erica Y.; Yun, Lira; Faulkner, Guy

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.740350

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A recent review ( 26 ) found that 43% of users dropped out of app-based health interventions. Other studies ( 25 – 30 ) also frequently observe that users abandon PA apps after a few weeks or months. However, this body of literature has two notable gaps.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Long-term usage of a commercial mHealth app: A “multiple-lives” perspective

Lau

Mitchell²,

Faulkner³

2022

Front. Public Health

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundEmerging evidence suggests that individuals use mHealth apps in multiple disjointed ways in the real-world—individuals, for example, may engage, take breaks, and re-engage with these apps. To our knowledge, very few studies have adopted this ‘multiple-live’ perspective to analyze long-term usage of a physical activity (PA) app. This study aimed to examine the duration of use, as well as the frequency, length, and timing of streaks (uninterrupted periods of use) and breaks (uninterrupted periods of non-use) within a popular commercial PA app called Carrot Rewards over 12 months. We also examined sociodemographic correlates of usage.MethodThis retrospective observational study analyzed data from 41,207 Carrot Rewards users participating in the “Steps” walking program from June/July 2016 to June/July 2017. We measured four usage indicators: duration of use, frequency and length of streaks and breaks, time to first break, and time to resume second streak. We also extracted information regarding participants' age, gender, province, and proxy indicators of socioeconomic status derived from census data. We used descriptive statistics to summarize usage patterns, Kaplan-Meier curves to illustrate the time to first break and time to resume second streak. We used linear regressions and Cox Proportional Hazard regression models to examine sociodemographic correlates of usage.ResultsOver 60% of the participants used Carrot Rewards for ≥6 months and 29% used it for 12 months (mean = 32.59 ± 18.435 weeks). The frequency of streaks and breaks ranged from 1 to 9 (mean = 1.61 ± 1.04 times). The mean streak and break length were 20.22 ± 18.26 and 16.14 ± 15.74 weeks, respectively. The median time to first break was 18 weeks across gender groups and provinces; the median time for participants to resume the second streak was between 12 and 32 weeks. Being female, older, and living in a community with greater post-secondary education levels were associated with increased usage.ConclusionThis study provides empirical evidence that long-term mHealth app usage is possible. In this context, it was common for users to take breaks and re-engage with Carrot Rewards. When designing and evaluating PA apps, therefore, interventionists should consider the 'multiple-lives' perspective described here, as well as the impact of gender and age.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Existing studies demonstrate that sustaining usage of app-based PA interventions has been challenging ( 21 , 24 , 25 ). A recent review ( 26 ) found that 43% of users dropped out of app-based health interventions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term usage of a commercial mHealth app: A “multiple-lives” perspective

Lau

Mitchell²,

Faulkner³

2022

Front. Public Health

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the workplace setting, a systematic review of 25 quasi-experimental and experimental studies observed that 56% of studies demonstrated a significant increase in PA [7]. However, other studies reported some limitations related to the type and content of PA interventions [15,16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy of an mHealth Behavior Change Intervention for Promoting Physical Activity in the Workplace: Randomized Controlled Trial

Alshagrawi¹,

Jamil²

2023

J Med Internet Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Insufficient physical activity (PA) is a well-established risk factor for several noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, depression, and dementia. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that individuals engage in 150 minutes of moderate PA per week or 75 minutes of intense PA per week. According to the WHO’s latest report, 23% of adults fail to meet the minimum recommended level of PA. The percentage was even higher in a recent global study that showed 27% of adults were insufficiently active and reported a 5% increase in the prevalence trend of insufficient PA between 2001 and 2016. The study also showed the rate of insufficient PA among countries varied significantly. For instance, it was estimated that 40% were insufficiently active in the United States, and the percentage was even higher in Saudi Arabia (more than 50%). Governments are actively developing policies and methods to successfully establish a PA-inducing environment that encourages a healthy lifestyle in order to address the global steady decline in PA. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mobile health (mHealth) interventions, particularly SMS text messaging interventions, to improve PA and decrease BMI in healthy adults in the workplace. Methods In this parallel, 2-arm randomized controlled trial, healthy adults (N=327) were randomized to receive an mHealth intervention (tailored text messages combined with self-monitoring (intervention; n=166) or no intervention (control; n=161). Adults who were fully employed in an academic institution and had limited PA during working hours were recruited for the study. Outcomes, such as PA and BMI, were assessed at baseline and 3 months later. Results Results showed significant improvement in PA levels (weekly step counts) in the intervention group (β=1097, 95% CI 922-1272, P<.001). There was also a significant reduction in BMI (β=0.60, 95% CI 0.50-0.69, P<.001). Conclusions Combining tailored text messages and self-monitoring interventions to improve PA and lower BMI was significantly effective and has the potential to leverage current methods to improve wellness among the public.

show abstract

Efficacy of an mHealth Behavior Change Intervention for Promoting Physical Activity in the Workplace: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

Alshagrawi¹,

Jamil²

2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BACKGROUND Insufficient physical activity (PA) is a well-established risk factor for several noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, depression, and dementia. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that individuals engage in 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week or 75 minutes of intense physical activity per week. According to the WHO's latest report, 23% of adults fail to meet the minimum recommended level of PA. Governments are actively developing policies and methods to successfully establish a PA-inducing environment that encourages a healthy lifestyle in order to address the global steady decline in PA. OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of mobile health (mHealth), particularly text messaging, to improve physical activity (PA) and decrease body mass index (BMI) in healthy adults in the workplace. METHODS In this parallel, two-arm, randomized controlled trial, healthy adults (n = 327) were randomized to receive a mHealth intervention (tailored text messages combined with self-monitoring (intervention; n = 166) or no intervention (control; n = 161). Adults who were fully employed in an academic institution and had limited physical activity during working hours were recruited for the study. Outcomes, PA and BMI, were assessed at baseline and 3 months later. RESULTS Results showed significant improvement in PA levels (weekly step counts) among the intervention group (difference 1097, 95% CI 922 to 1272, p < .001). There was also a significant reduction observed for BMI (difference .60, 95% CI .50 to .69, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Combining tailored text messages and self-monitoring intervention to improve PA and lower BMI was significantly effective and has the potential to leverage current methods to improve wellness among the public. CLINICALTRIAL APPL/2022/040

show abstract

An Evaluation of a Commercialized mHealth Intervention to Promote Physical Activity in the Workplace

Cited by 3 publications

References 29 publications

Long-term usage of a commercial mHealth app: A “multiple-lives” perspective

Long-term usage of a commercial mHealth app: A “multiple-lives” perspective

Efficacy of an mHealth Behavior Change Intervention for Promoting Physical Activity in the Workplace: Randomized Controlled Trial

Efficacy of an mHealth Behavior Change Intervention for Promoting Physical Activity in the Workplace: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About