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.

Preliminary assessment of content, behavior change techniques, and quality of pregnancy apps in Spain: Systematic search on app stores (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aranzazu Muñoz-Mancisidor ◽  
Ruben Martin-Payo ◽  
Xana Gonzalez-Mendez ◽  
María Del Mar Fernández-Álvarez
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Change ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Subjective Quality ◽  
Systematic Search ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques ◽  
Content Quality ◽  
Objective Quality ◽  
Behavior Strategies

BACKGROUND Women consult information in mobile apps (apps) during pregnancy, and even obstetrics specialists highlight that pregnancy is the ideal moment for the use of apps as consultation sources. However, the high number of apps designed for pregnancy requires a careful assessment to determine their suitability before recommendation. OBJECTIVE To identify the apps available in Spanish that can be recommended based on their content, behavior change techniques (BCTs), and quality as a complementary tool during pregnancy. METHODS A systematic search on app stores to identify apps was performed in the Apple App Store and Google Play, and the subject term pregnancy. The apps meeting the following criteria were chosen: i. pregnancy-related content; ii. free; iii. available in Spanish. They were excluded if: i. the app was classified as game/entertainment, and therefore had no educational or health aim; iii. they did not target the population under study. The selected apps were downloaded, and their quality was assessed using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS), the BCTs included using the taxonomy Behavior Change Techniques Taxonomy v.1 and its content. RESULTS A total of 457 apps were identified, 25 of which were downloaded for assessment (5.6%). The median for objective and subjective quality was 2.94 (IR=2,71-3.46) and 1.75 (IR=1.25-2.25) respectively. Regarding content, the median of topics included in the apps was 23 (IR=16050-23.50) being weight gain, nutrition, fetal development and physical activity the most common. The median number of BCTs was 12 (RI=0.50-3.50). Statistically significant correlations were observed between objective quality and content (0.634), subjective quality and content (0.641), objective quality and BCTs (0.672), subjective quality and BCT (0.623), and BCTs and content (0.563). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that only a small percentage of free pregnancy apps available in Spanish should be recommended. The apps with the best quality score were those where a higher number of topics were addressed and included a larger quantity of BCT. While apps can potentially influence pregnant women’s behavior and contribute to pregnancy, a previous assessment of their content, quality, and behavior strategies is necessary in order to determine which apps could potentially be beneficial, and therefore, can be recommended.

scholarly journals Behavior Change Techniques and the Effects Associated With Digital Behavior Change Interventions in Sedentary Behavior in the Clinical Population: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Martín-Martín ◽  
Cristina Roldán-Jiménez ◽  
Irene De-Torres ◽  
Antonio Muro-Culebras ◽  
Adrian Escriche-Escuder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Clinical Population ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques ◽  
Behavior Change Interventions

Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) negatively impact health and is highly prevalent in the population. Digital behavior change interventions (DBCIs) have been developed to modify behaviors such as SB by technologies. However, it is unknown which behavior change techniques (BCTs) are most frequently employed in SB as well as the effect associated with DBCIs in this field. The aim of this systematic review was: (a) to evaluate the BCT most frequently employed in digital health including all technologies available and interventions aimed at increasing physical activity (PA), reducing sedentary time, and improving adherence to exercise in the clinical population, and (b) to review the effect associated with DBCIs in this field.Methods: The database used was Medline, as well as Scopus, Scielo, and Google Scholar. For the search strategy, we considered versions of behavior/behavioral, mHealth/eHealth/telemedicine/serious game/gamification. The terms related to PA and SB were included, the criteria for inclusion were randomized clinical trials (RCTs), adults, intervention based on digital media, and outcome variable lifestyle modification; a last 5 years filter was included. Michie's Taxonomy was used to identify BCTs. The study was registered under the number PROSPERO CRD42019138681.Results: Eighteen RCTs were included in the present systematic review, 5 of them healthy adults, and 13 of them with some illness. Studies included 2298 sedentary individuals who were followed up for 5 weeks−3 years. The most used BCTs were goal setting, problem solving, review outcomes/goals, feedback on behavior and outcomes of behavior, self-monitoring of behavior, social support, information about health consequences, and behavior practice/rehearsal. The effect associated with DBCIs showed improvements, among several related to PA and physiologic self-reported and anthropometric outcomes.Conclusion: The BCTs most used in digital health to change outcomes related to SB were goals and planning, feedback and monitoring, social support, natural consequences, repetition, and substitution. Besides these findings, DBCIs are influenced by several factors like the type of intervention, patients' preferences and values, or the number of BCTs employed. More research is needed to determine with precision which DBCIs or BCTs are the most effective to reduce SB in the clinical population.

scholarly journals Systematic review of context-aware digital behavior change interventions to improve health

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1037-1048
Author(s):  
Kelly J Thomas Craig ◽  
Laura C Morgan ◽  
Ching-Hua Chen ◽  
Susan Michie ◽  
Nicole Fusco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Context Aware ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Behavior Change Interventions ◽  
Improve Health

Abstract Health risk behaviors are leading contributors to morbidity, premature mortality associated with chronic diseases, and escalating health costs. However, traditional interventions to change health behaviors often have modest effects, and limited applicability and scale. To better support health improvement goals across the care continuum, new approaches incorporating various smart technologies are being utilized to create more individualized digital behavior change interventions (DBCIs). The purpose of this study is to identify context-aware DBCIs that provide individualized interventions to improve health. A systematic review of published literature (2013–2020) was conducted from multiple databases and manual searches. All included DBCIs were context-aware, automated digital health technologies, whereby user input, activity, or location influenced the intervention. Included studies addressed explicit health behaviors and reported data of behavior change outcomes. Data extracted from studies included study design, type of intervention, including its functions and technologies used, behavior change techniques, and target health behavior and outcomes data. Thirty-three articles were included, comprising mobile health (mHealth) applications, Internet of Things wearables/sensors, and internet-based web applications. The most frequently adopted behavior change techniques were in the groupings of feedback and monitoring, shaping knowledge, associations, and goals and planning. Technologies used to apply these in a context-aware, automated fashion included analytic and artificial intelligence (e.g., machine learning and symbolic reasoning) methods requiring various degrees of access to data. Studies demonstrated improvements in physical activity, dietary behaviors, medication adherence, and sun protection practices. Context-aware DBCIs effectively supported behavior change to improve users’ health behaviors.

Behavior change techniques in mobile apps targeting self-harm in young people: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Panagiotopoulou ◽  
Celeste Peiris ◽  
Daniel Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Dialectical Behavior Therapy ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Active Components ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Self Harm

Abstract Despite the high prevalence of self-harm among young people, as well as their extensive use of mobile apps for seeking support with their mental healthcare, it is unclear whether the design of mobile apps aimed at targeting self-harm is underpinned by behavior change techniques (BCTs). To systematically analyze and identify (a) what BCTs and (b) what theories are present in self-harm apps for young people in an attempt to understand their active components. Systematic searches in Apple store, followed by thorough screening, were conducted to identify free mobile apps targeting self-harm in young people. Five apps met the inclusion criteria and were used by trained researchers, who coded identified features against the BCT Taxonomy V1. Despite the majority of apps being underpinned by principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), no other information is available about specific theories underpinning these apps. Nineteen of the 93 BCTs were identified across the five apps. The most frequently used BCT was “Distraction” (54.2%), offering ideas for activities to distract users from self-harming. Other techniques that were used often were “Social Support (unspecified)” (27.0%) and “Behavior Substitution” (10.6%). This study provides the first analysis of BCTs present in mental health apps which are designed to target the reduction of self-harm in young people. Future research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the apps, as well as assess the effectiveness of the BCTs present.

scholarly journals Evidence-Based Digital Tools for Weight Loss Maintenance: The NoHoW Project

Obesity Facts ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
R. James Stubbs ◽  
Cristiana Duarte ◽  
António L. Palmeira ◽  
Falko F. Sniehotta ◽  
Graham Horgan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Behavioural Science ◽  
Digital Architecture

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Effective interventions and commercial programmes for weight loss (WL) are widely available, but most people regain weight. Few effective WL maintenance (WLM) solutions exist. The most promising evidence-based behaviour change techniques for WLM are self-monitoring, goal setting, action planning and control, building self-efficacy, and techniques that promote autonomous motivation (e.g., provide choice). Stress management and emotion regulation techniques show potential for prevention of relapse and weight regain. Digital technologies (including networked-wireless tracking technologies, online tools and smartphone apps, multimedia resources, and internet-based support) offer attractive tools for teaching and supporting long-term behaviour change techniques. However, many digital offerings for weight management tend not to include evidence-based content and the evidence base is still limited. <b><i>The Project:</i></b> First, the project examined why, when, and how many European citizens make WL and WLM attempts and how successful they are. Second, the project employed the most up-to-date behavioural science research to develop a digital toolkit for WLM based on 2 key conditions, i.e., self-management (self-regulation and motivation) of behaviour and self-management of emotional responses for WLM. Then, the NoHoW trial tested the efficacy of this digital toolkit in adults who achieved clinically significant (≥5%) WL in the previous 12 months (initial BMI ≥25). The primary outcome was change in weight (kg) at 12 months from baseline. Secondary outcomes included biological, psychological, and behavioural moderators and mediators of long-term energy balance (EB) behaviours, and user experience, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness. <b><i>Impact:</i></b> The project will directly feed results from studies on European consumer behaviour, design and evaluation of digital toolkits self-management of EB behaviours into development of new products and services for WLM and digital health. The project has developed a framework and digital architecture for interventions in the context of EB tracking and will generate results that will help inform the next generation of personalised interventions for effective self-management of weight and health.

scholarly journals Diet Behavior Change Techniques in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Diabetes Care ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. 1800-1810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin A. Cradock ◽  
Gearóid ÓLaighin ◽  
Francis M. Finucane ◽  
Rhyann McKay ◽  
Leo R. Quinlan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques ◽  
Diet Behavior

Using Behavior Change Techniques to Guide Selections of Mobile Applications to Promote Fluid Consumption

Urology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 99 ◽  
pp. 33-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E. Conroy ◽  
Alexandra Dubansky ◽  
Joshua Remillard ◽  
Robert Murray ◽  
Christine A. Pellegrini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Change ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Fluid Consumption ◽  
Behavior Change Techniques
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