Persuasive technologies design for mental and behavioral health platforms: A scoping literature review

Abstract

This review investigates persuasive design frameworks within eHealth, concentrating on methodologies, their prevalence in mental and behavioral health applications, and identifying current research gaps. An extensive search was conducted across 8 databases, focusing on English publications with full text available. The search prioritized primary research articles, post-2011 applications, and eHealth platforms emphasizing treatment or support. The inclusion process was iterative, involving multiple authors, and relied on detailed criteria to ensure the relevance and contemporaneity of selected works. The final review set comprised 161 articles, providing an overview of persuasive design frameworks in eHealth. The review highlights the state of the art in the domain, emphasizing the utilization and effectiveness of these frameworks in eHealth platforms. This review details the restricted adoption of persuasive design frameworks within the field of eHealth, particularly in the mental and behavioral sectors. Predominant gaps include the scarcity of comparative evaluations, the underrepresentation of tailored interventions, and the unclear influence of persuasive components on user experience. There is a notable requirement for further scrutiny and refinement of persuasive design frameworks. Addressing these concerns promises a more substantial foundation for persuasive design in eHealth, potentially enhancing user commitment and platform efficiency.