A personalized mobile app for physical activity: An experimental mixed-methods study

Author:

Tong Huong Ly1ORCID,Quiroz Juan C2,Kocaballi Ahmet Baki3,Ijaz Kiran4,Coiera Enrico4,Chow Clara K1,Laranjo Liliana1

Affiliation:

1. Westmead Applied Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

2. Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

3. School of Computer Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia

4. Centre for Health Informatics, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

Abstract

Objectives To investigate the feasibility of the be.well app and its personalization approach which regularly considers users’ preferences, amongst university students. Methods We conducted a mixed-methods, pre-post experiment, where participants used the app for 2 months. Eligibility criteria included: age 18–34 years; owning an iPhone with Internet access; and fluency in English. Usability was assessed by a validated questionnaire; engagement metrics were reported. Changes in physical activity were assessed by comparing the difference in daily step count between baseline and 2 months. Interviews were conducted to assess acceptability; thematic analysis was conducted. Results Twenty-three participants were enrolled in the study (mean age = 21.9 years, 71.4% women). The mean usability score was 5.6 ± 0.8 out of 7. The median daily engagement time was 2 minutes. Eighteen out of 23 participants used the app in the last month of the study. Qualitative data revealed that people liked the personalized activity suggestion feature as it was actionable and promoted user autonomy. Some users also expressed privacy concerns if they had to provide a lot of personal data to receive highly personalized features. Daily step count increased after 2 months of the intervention (median difference = 1953 steps/day, p-value <.001, 95% CI 782 to 3112). Conclusions Incorporating users’ preferences in personalized advice provided by a physical activity app was considered feasible and acceptable, with preliminary support for its positive effects on daily step count. Future randomized studies with longer follow up are warranted to determine the effectiveness of personalized mobile apps in promoting physical activity.

Funder

International Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship

Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Health Information Management,Computer Science Applications,Health Informatics,Health Policy

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