Determinants for Sustained Use of an Activity Tracker: Observational Study

Abstract

BackgroundA lack of physical activity is considered to cause 6% of deaths globally. Feedback from wearables such as activity trackers has the potential to encourage daily physical activity. To date, little research is available on the natural development of adherence to activity trackers or on potential factors that predict which users manage to keep using their activity tracker during the first year (and thereby increasing the chance of healthy behavior change) and which users discontinue using their trackers after a short time.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify the determinants for sustained use in the first year after purchase. Specifically, we look at the relative importance of demographic and socioeconomic, psychological, health-related, goal-related, technological, user experience–related, and social predictors of feedback device use. Furthermore, this study tests the effect of these predictors on physical activity.MethodsA total of 711 participants from four urban areas in France received an activity tracker (Fitbit Zip) and gave permission to use their logged data. Participants filled out three Web-based questionnaires: at start, after 98 days, and after 232 days to measure the aforementioned determinants. Furthermore, for each participant, we collected activity data tracked by their Fitbit tracker for 320 days. We determined the relative importance of all included predictors by using Random Forest, a machine learning analysis technique.ResultsThe data showed a slow exponential decay in Fitbit use, with 73.9% (526/711) of participants still tracking after 100 days and 16.0% (114/711) of participants tracking after 320 days. On average, participants used the tracker for 129 days. Most important reasons to quit tracking were technical issues such as empty batteries and broken trackers or lost trackers (21.5% of all Q3 respondents, 130/601). Random Forest analysis of predictors revealed that the most influential determinants were age, user experience–related factors, mobile phone type, household type, perceived effect of the Fitbit tracker, and goal-related factors. We explore the role of those predictors that show meaningful differences in the number of days the tracker was worn.ConclusionsThis study offers an overview of the natural development of the use of an activity tracker, as well as the relative importance of a range of determinants from literature. Decay is exponential but slower than may be expected from existing literature. Many factors have a small contribution to sustained use. The most important determinants are technical condition, age, user experience, and goal-related factors. This finding suggests that activity tracking is potentially beneficial for a broad range of target groups, but more attention should be paid to technical and user experience–related aspects of activity trackers.

Patients’ experiences with commercially available activity trackers embedded in physiotherapy treatment: a qualitative study

“…Mercer et al and Rosenberg et al both suggested that usability could be improved by having more compatible computers and smartphones, comprehensive paper manuals, and apps that interpret the user data. Studies among the elderly and adults [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] showed considerable similarities with the results of this study and those of Mercer et al and Rosenberg et al Older people and adults accepted the activity tracker, found them stimulating, increased awareness, and experienced them as useful. However, especially elderly stated they would prefer an activity tracker which is easier to use and adapted to their needs and skills.…”

“…Feasibility aspects such as user-friendliness and sustained use of activity trackers have been studied in healthy adults [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] and the elderly [23][24][25][26][27][28]. From these studies it appears that in general, healthy adults and the elderly are open and positive towards the use of activity trackers.…”

Factors Influencing Sustained Engagement with ECG Self-Monitoring: Perspectives from Patients and Health Care Providers

“…Recent quantitative research more broadly identified factors (e.g., perceived usefulness) associated with engagement. 44,45 Our qualitative work uncovered nuances within each factor, such as how previously unidentified variations in the depth of insights obtained from the data influenced how engaged and unengaged patients perceived usefulness. Such nuances may be testable in future quantitative studies in this population, using a larger sample size.…”

Web Support for Weight-Loss Interventions: PREDIRCAM2 Clinical Trial Baseline Characteristics and Preliminary Results

“…The use of technologies in lifestyle interventions, such as webs, mobile applications, or physical activity trackers, has shown similar trends, with adherence rates tending to decline at 2 to 3 months of follow-up. 9 ' 16 ' 17 The TI group shows similar preliminary results for weight loss and control of obesity comorbidities when compared to usual care. At the completion of the ongoing clinical trial, these results will be reevaluated to assess the potential role of web support for weight-loss maintenance as well as its costeffectiveness.…”