Design and evaluation of theory-informed technology to augment a wellness motivation intervention

Abstract

Integrating mobile technology into health promotion strategies has the potential to support healthy behaviors. A new theory-informed app was designed to augment an intervention promoting wellness motivation in older adults with fall risk and low levels of physical activity. The app content was evaluated for clarity, homogeneity, and validity of motivational messages; both the app and device were evaluated for acceptability and usability. The initial evaluation included nine adults (mean age, 75); four of whom also assessed the app's sensing abilities in the field. As part of an intervention feasibility study, 14 older adults (mean age, 84) also provided a follow-up evaluation of app usability. Evaluation participants assessed the app as valid, usable, acceptable, and able to sense most reported free-living activities, and provided feedback for improving the app. Design processes illustrate methodologic and interpretive efforts to operationalize motivational content in a theory-informed app promoting change in physical activity behavior.

Patient-Facing Mobile Apps to Treat High-Need, High-Cost Populations: A Scoping Review

“…For the purposes of our analysis, we considered each article as separate. We found 2 articles that evaluated the ActiveLifestyle app [25,26], AsthmaCare [27,28], EncephalApp [29,30], iMigraine [31,32], iStepLog [33,34], the Mayo Clinic app [35,36], Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test [37,38], My Meal Mate [39,40], Ready~Steady [41,42], a cognitive stimulation app for alcoholics [43,44], USMART [45,46], ClinTouch [47,48], and a food addiction intervention [49,50]. We found 3 articles that evaluated a mobile application in the Women with Epilepsy: Pregnancy Outcomes and Deliveries (WEPOD) study [51-53] and 3 that evaluated the SaGAS 20/10 app [54,55].…”

Mobile Computer Application for Promoting Physical Activity

“…The rationale for providing positive, not negative, feedback, and metaphorical, aesthetically pleasing images, not avatars or isolated simple gauges, was based on theory, previous research, and feedback from potential users (Albaina et al, 2009; Consolvo et al, 2009; McMahon, Vankipuram, Hekler, & Fleury, 2013). Participants in an initial evaluation preferred the blooming garden in combination with a minute counter and a gauge.…”

“…Participants in an initial evaluation preferred the blooming garden in combination with a minute counter and a gauge. They stated that the blooming garden elicited positive emotion such as pleasant and happy feelings (McMahon et al, 2013). They also chose to have a gauge embedded in the picture and a number; both helped them to quantify their progress quickly.…”

“…Details of the design and initial evaluation of the Ready~Steady app are described in other publications (McMahon et al, 2013; Vankipuram, McMahon, & Fleury, 2012). In the initial evaluation of the app, older adult participants noted that with certain improvements, the app may be usable and acceptable among older adults, and that most of the motivational messages included were valid (McMahon et al, 2013).…”

“…In the initial evaluation of the app, older adult participants noted that with certain improvements, the app may be usable and acceptable among older adults, and that most of the motivational messages included were valid (McMahon et al, 2013). They advised the design team to make instructions for using the app and the mobile computer (iPod touch) more explicit and to include illustrations.…”