Creation of a Holistic Platform for Health Boosting Using a Blockchain-Based Approach: Development Study

Abstract

Background Low adherence to healthy habits, which is associated with a higher risk of disease and death, among citizens of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries is a serious concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the physical activity (PA) guidelines for Americans provide recommendations on PA and healthy diets. To promote these habits, we suggest using a blockchain-based platform, using the PA Messaging Framework to deliver messages and rewards to users. Blockchain is a decentralized secure platform for data management, which can be used for value-added controls and services such as smart contracts (SCs), oracles, and decentralized applications (dApps). Of note, there is a substantial penetration of blockchain technologies in the field of PA, but there is a need for more implementations of dApps to take advantage of features such as nonfungible tokens. Objective This study aimed to create a comprehensive platform for promoting healthy habits, using scientific evidence and blockchain technology. The platform will use gamification to encourage healthy PA and eating habits; in addition, it will monitor the activities through noninvasive means, evaluate them using open-source software, and follow up through blockchain messages. Methods A literature search was conducted on the use of blockchain technology in the field of PA and healthy eating. On the basis of the results of this search, it is possible to define an innovative platform for promoting and monitoring healthy habits through health-related challenges on a dApp. Contact with the user will be maintained through messages following a proposed model in the literature to improve adherence to the challenges. Results The proposed strategy is based on a dApp that relies on blockchain technology. The challenges include PA and healthy eating habits based on the recommendations of the WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization. The system is constituted of a blockchain network where challenge-related achievements are stored and verified using SCs. The user interacts with the system through a dApp that runs on their local device, monitors the challenge, and self-authenticates by providing their public and private keys. The SC verifies challenge fulfillment and generates messages, and the information stored in the network can be used to encourage competition among participants. The ultimate goal is to create a habit of healthy activities through rewards and peer competition. Conclusions The use of blockchain technology has the potential to improve people’s quality of life through the development of relevant services. In this work, strategies using gamification and blockchain are proposed for monitoring healthy activities, with a focus on transparency and reward allocation. The results are promising, but compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation is still a concern. Personal data are stored on personal devices, whereas challenge data are recorded on the blockchain.

Practical Approach to Designing and Implementing a Recommendation System for Healthy Challenges

“…Therefore, any authorized third party operating within the platform framework would be able to introduce new challenges with no need to alter the underlying models or algorithms. Although initially conceptualized as a supportive component for a comprehensive gamification platform utilizing blockchain technology [43], the success of this software component has led to its independent offering as a standalone tool.…”

“…The gamification environment proposed involves the presentation of proper activity plans in the form of challenges. As presented in a previous paper by the authors [43], participants are encouraged to achieve the goal within each challenge through the incentive of prizes and receiving daily progress updates on their mobile devices, indicating their progress in the subscribed challenges and whether they are progressing adequately or need to improve their performance.…”

Smart Endoscopy Is Greener Endoscopy: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Technologies to Drive Sustainability in Digestive Health Care

“…This reduces redundant data collection, minimises resource consumption and promotes efficient research practices. Finally, blockchain-based incentive programs can motivate patients to adopt healthier lifestyles and participate in preventive care [96,97]. By rewarding patients with blockchainbased tokens or digital assets for achieving health goals, patients are encouraged to engage in proactive measures that reduce the need for invasive digestive healthcare procedures, consequently lowering the associated carbon footprint.…”