Development of StopAdvisor

Abstract

Reviews of internet-based behaviour-change interventions have shown that they can be effective but there is considerable heterogeneity and effect sizes are generally small. In order to advance science and technology in this area, it is essential to be able to build on principles and evidence of behaviour change in an incremental manner. We report the development of an interactive smoking cessation website, StopAdvisor, designed to be attractive and effective across the social spectrum. It was informed by a broad motivational theory (PRIME), empirical evidence, web-design expertise, and user-testing. The intervention was developed using an open-source webdevelopment platform, 'LifeGuide', designed to facilitate optimisation and collaboration. We identified 19 theoretical propositions, 33 evidence-or theorybased behaviour change techniques, 26 web-design principles and nine principles from user-testing. These were synthesised to create the website, 'StopAdvisor' (see http://www.lifeguideonline.org/ player/play/stopadvisordemonstration). The systematic and transparent application of theory, evidence, webdesign expertise and user-testing within an opensource development platform can provide a basis for multi-phase optimisation contributing to an 'incremental technology' of behaviour change.

Details of development of the resource for adults with asthma in the RAISIN (randomized trial of an asthma internet self-management intervention) study

“… 10 Like to stop smoking? • This section was a link to an external site called ‘StopAdvisor’[ 19 ] and therefore not covered during the think aloud studies. 11 (1 page) Useful info and links • Expanded during the think aloud to include more links to online mental health resources and information about the GP exercise referral scheme.…”

The needs and preferences of pregnant smokers regarding tailored Internet-based smoking cessation interventions: a qualitative interview study

“…‘MumsQuit’ intervention constituted an anchor for a broader discussion about attractive features of ISCIs. MumsQuit is an adaptation of ‘StopAdvisor’, a theory- and evidence-based ISCI delivering tailored advice through a structured, 4-week automated program that emulates behavioral support from an expert advisor (for details see [ 30 , 31 ]). Both interventions are informed by PRIME theory of motivation [ 32 ], which addresses key constructs in smoking cessation, including motivation, self-regulatory capacity and skills, and intervention engagement.…”

Development of SmokeFree Baby: a smoking cessation smartphone app for pregnant smokers

“…However, a qualitative think-aloud study (reported separately) has since been conducted with pregnant smokers to explore their perspectives’ about the usability of the trial version of the app. As others have previously suggested [56], some decisions during the development of large and complex interventions, such as SmokeFree Baby, are likely to have been made without being documented. In order to mitigate this as much as possible, we kept detailed records of all stages of the intervention development process and reported a comprehensive description of these in the paper.…”

“…Principles that informed the design of the app reported the supplementary tables (Table S2). Twenty-three principles were adopted from the development of the ‘StopAdvisor’ smoking cessation Web site [56] (e.g. the text for the app was edited by a professional writer to ensure that it was as brief as possible and easy to understand).…”