Behavior Change Techniques Used in Mobile Applications Targeting Physical Activity: A Systematic Review

2018 ◽  
pp. 23-35
Author(s):  
Hakan Kuru
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques

Behavior Change Techniques Used in Theory of Planned Behavior Physical Activity Interventions Among Older Adults: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 746-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Senkowski ◽  
Clara Gannon ◽  
Paul Branscum
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behavior ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Planned Behavior ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
The United States ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions

Physical activity interventions among older adults vary widely in the techniques used to elicit behavior change. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine what behavior change techniques (BCTs) are used in interventions to increase physical activity among older adults using the theory of planned behavior and to make suggestions for BCTs that appear to be more effective. A database search identified peer-reviewed articles documenting interventions based on the theory of planned behavior. Seven articles (three randomized controlled trial, three quasi-experimental, and onen-of-1) from four countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Netherlands) were included for review. Researchers independently coded BCTs using a hierarchical taxonomy of 93 BCTs. The most frequently coded BCTs includedGoal Setting(n = 5 studies),Action Planning(n = 5 studies), andCredible Source(n = 5 studies). Of the 93 BCTs in the taxonomy, only 26 were used, indicating potential opportunities to implement and evaluate less commonly used techniques in future studies.

scholarly journals Strategies and effects of school-based interventions to promote active school transportation by bicycle among children and adolescents: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothea M. I. Schönbach ◽  
Teatske M. Altenburg ◽  
Adilson Marques ◽  
Mai J. M. Chinapaw ◽  
Yolanda Demetriou
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
School Travel ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques ◽  
School Based ◽  
Active School Travel ◽  
School Based Interventions

Abstract Background Promoting cycling to school may benefit establishing a lifelong physical activity routine. This systematic review aimed to summarize the evidence on strategies and effects of school-based interventions focusing on increasing active school transport by bicycle. Methods A literature search based on “PICo” was conducted in eight electronic databases. Randomized and non-randomized controlled trials with primary/secondary school students of all ages were included that conducted pre-post measurements of a school-based intervention aimed at promoting active school travel by bicycle and were published in English between 2000 and 2019. The methodological quality was assessed using the “Effective Public Health Practice Project” tool for quantitative studies. Applied behavior change techniques were identified using the “BCT Taxonomy v1”. Two independent researchers undertook the screening, data extraction, appraisal of study quality, and behavior change techniques. Results Nine studies investigating seven unique interventions performed between 2012 and 2018 were included. All studies were rated as weak quality. The narrative synthesis identified 19 applied behavior change techniques clustered in eleven main groups according to their similarities and a variety of 35 different outcome variables classified into seven main groups. Most outcomes were related to active school travel and psychosocial factors, followed by physical fitness, physical activity levels, weight status, active travel and cycling skills. Four studies, examining in total nine different outcomes, found a significant effect in favor of the intervention group on bicycle trips to school (boys only), percentage of daily cycling trips to school, parental/child self-efficacy, parental outcome expectations, moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (total, from cycling, before/after school), and total basic cycling skills. Seven of these outcomes were only examined in two studies conducting the same intervention in children, a voluntary bicycle train to/from school accompanied by adults, including the following clustered main groups of behavior change techniques: shaping knowledge, comparison of behavior, repetition and substitution as well as antecedents. Conclusions The applied strategies in a bicycle train intervention among children indicated great potential to increase cycling to school. Our findings provide relevant insights for the design and implementation of future school-based interventions targeting active school transport by bicycle. Trial registration This systematic review has been registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews “PROSPERO” at (registration number: CRD42019125192).

scholarly journals Clinical Effectiveness of Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance Interventions for Men: A Systematic Review of Men-Only Randomized Controlled Trials (The ROMEO Project)

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1096-1123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Robertson ◽  
Alison Avenell ◽  
Fiona Stewart ◽  
Daryll Archibald ◽  
Flora Douglas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
And Behavior

Men are underrepresented in obesity services, suggesting current weight loss service provision is suboptimal. This systematic review evaluated evidence-based strategies for treating obesity in men. Eight bibliographic databases and four clinical trials’ registers were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of weight loss interventions in men only, with mean/median body mass index of ≥30 kg/m2 (or ≥28 kg/m2 with cardiac risk factors), with a minimum mean/median duration of ≥52 weeks. Interventions included diet, physical activity, behavior change techniques, orlistat, or combinations of these; compared against each other, placebo, or a no intervention control group; in any setting. Twenty-one reports from 14 RCTs were identified. Reducing diets produced more favorable weight loss than physical activity alone (mean weight change after 1 year from a reducing diet compared with an exercise program −3.2 kg, 95% confidence interval −4.8 to −1.6 kg, reported p < .01). The most effective interventions combined reducing diets, exercise, and behavior change techniques (mean difference in weight at 1 year compared with no intervention was −4.9 kg, 95% confidence interval −5.9 to −4.0, reported p < .0001). Group interventions produced favorable weight loss results. The average reported participant retention rate was 78.2%, ranging from 44% to 100% retention, indicating that, once engaged, men remained committed to a weight loss intervention. Weight loss for men is best achieved and maintained with the combination of a reducing diet, increased physical activity, and behavior change techniques. Strategies to increase engagement of men with weight loss services to improve the reach of interventions are needed.

scholarly journals Evaluation of mobile applications for fitness training and physical activity in healthy low-trained people - A modular interdisciplinary framework

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 12-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josef Wiemeyer
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Exercise Physiology ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques ◽  
Integrative Framework ◽  
Scientific Disciplines ◽  
Interdisciplinary Framework ◽  
Fitness Training

Abstract Numerous mobile applications are available that aim at supporting sustainable physical activity and fitness training in sedentary or low-trained healthy people. However, the evaluation of the quality of these applications often suffers from severe shortcomings such as reduction to selective aspects, lack of theory or suboptimal methods. What is still missing, is a framework that integrates the insights of the relevant scientific disciplines. In this paper, we propose an integrative framework comprising four modules: training, behavior change techniques, sensors and technology, and evaluation of effects. This framework allows to integrate insights from training science, exercise physiology, social psychology, computer science, and civil engineering as well as methodology. Furthermore, the framework can be flexibly adapted to the specific features of the mobile applications, e.g., regarding training goals and training methods or the relevant behavior change techniques as well as formative or summative evaluation.

scholarly journals Behavior change techniques in mobile applications for sedentary behavior

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 205520761878579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily E Dunn ◽  
Heather L Gainforth ◽  
Jennifer E Robertson-Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Behavior Change Interventions ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Keyword Searches

Objective Mobile applications (apps) are increasingly being utilized in health behavior change interventions. To determine the presence of underlying behavior change mechanisms, apps for physical activity have been coded for behavior change techniques (BCTs). However, apps for sedentary behavior have yet to be assessed for BCTs. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to review apps designed to decrease sedentary time and determine the presence of BCTs. Methods Systematic searches of the iTunes App and Google Play stores were completed using keyword searches. Two reviewers independently coded free ( n = 36) and paid ( n = 14) app descriptions using a taxonomy of 93 BCTs (December 2016–January 2017). A subsample ( n = 4) of free apps were trialed for one week by the reviewers and coded for the presence of BCTs (February 2017). Results In the free and paid app descriptions, only 10 of 93 BCTs were present with a mean of 2.42 BCTs (range 0–6) per app. The BCTs coded most frequently were “prompts/cues” ( n = 43), “information about health consequences” ( n = 31), and “self-monitoring of behavior” ( n = 17). For the four free apps that were trialed, three additional BCTs were coded that were not coded in the descriptions: “graded tasks,” “focus on past successes,” and “behavior substitution.” Conclusions These sedentary behavior apps have fewer BCTs compared with physical activity apps and traditional (i.e., non-app) physical activity and healthy eating interventions. The present study sheds light on the behavior change potential of sedentary behavior apps and provides practical insight about coding for BCTs in apps.

scholarly journals Behavior Change Techniques in Physical Activity eHealth Interventions for People With Cardiovascular Disease: Systematic Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. e281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orlaith Mairead Duff ◽  
Deirdre MJ Walsh ◽  
Bróna A Furlong ◽  
Noel E O'Connor ◽  
Kieran A Moran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques

Patient-facing Mobile Applications to Support Physiotherapy Care: Protocol for a Systematic Review of Apps (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Merolli ◽  
Jillian Francis ◽  
Patrick Vallance ◽  
Kim Bennell ◽  
Peter Malliaras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques ◽  
Care Protocol

BACKGROUND Care delivered by physiotherapists aims to facilitate positive health behaviors by patients (e.g. adherence to exercise). However, research suggests that behavioral interventions are frequently omitted from care. Hence, better understanding of strategies that can be used by physiotherapists to support patients to engage in positive behaviors are important and likely to optimise outcomes. Digital health interventions delivered via mobile applications (apps) are garnering attention for their ability to support behavior change. They have the potential to incorporate numerous behavior change techniques to support goals of physiotherapy care; including (but not limited to): self-monitoring, goal setting, and prompts/alerts. Despite their potential to support physiotherapy care, much is still unknown about what apps are available, the behavior change techniques they use, their quality, and their potential to change behaviors. OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this systematic review is to describe what mobile apps intended for use by patients are available to support physiotherapy care, including the behavior change techniques within these apps. The secondary aims are to evaluate the quality and behavior change potential of these apps. METHODS A systematic review of apps in app stores will be undertaken. This will follow recommendations for reviews in line with the PRISMA statement, which has been adapted to suit our app store search. Apple Store and Google Play will be searched with a two-step search strategy, using terms relevant to physiotherapy, physiotherapists, and common physiotherapy care. Key eligibility will be that apps are intended for use by patients, and are self-contained or, stand-alone without the need of additional wearable devices or other add-ons. Included apps will be coded for behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and rated for quality using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) and potential to change behavior using the App Behavior Change Scale (ABACUS). RESULTS The protocol is registered to PROSPERO. App screening and inclusion has started, and data extraction is expected to commence by March, 2021. CONCLUSIONS Knowledge gained from this review will support clinical practice, as well as informing research, by providing a greater understanding about the quality of currently available mobile apps and their potential to support patient behaviour change goals of physiotherapy care.

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