Finding Kairos: The Influence of Context-Based Timing on Compliance with Well-Being Triggers

Abstract

Abstract. For healthy computer use, frequent, short breaks are crucial. This research investigated whether context-aware persuasive technology can identify opportune and effective moments (of high user motivation and ability to perform target behavior) for triggering short breaks fostering symbiotic interactions between e-Coaching e-Health technology and users. In Study 1, office workers rated their motivation and ability to take a short break (probed at random moments). Simultaneously their computer activity was recorded. Results showed that computer activity (time since last break; change in computer activity level) can predict moments of high and low (perceived) ability (but not motivation) to take a short break. Study 2 showed that when office workers received triggers (to take a short break) at moments of high (vs. low) ability (predicted based on computer activity), compliance increased 70%. These results show that context information can be used to identify opportune moments, at which persuasive triggers are more effective.

Physiology-based personalization of persuasive technology: a user modeling perspective

“…Contemporary PT comes in many forms, that is computers (Vroege et al 2014;Wijsman et al 2013), wristbands (Westerink et al 2014), mobile phone applications (Garnett et al 2019), ambient lighting (Maan et al 2011) or even in virtual reality (Chionidis and Powell 2020). It can be used for various objectives, for example, stimulating users to take a small break during computer work (Ham et al 2011), encouraging physical exercise (Herrmann and Kim 2017;Spelt et al 2019b), promoting healthy eating (Kaptein et al 2012;Maimone et al 2018;Orji et al 2014), conserving energy (Ham and Midden 2014), supporting waste management (Nkwo 2019), promoting weight-loss (Karppinen et al 2018), or reducing alcohol intake (Garnett et al 2019).…”