Development and feasibility of a mobile phone application designed to support physically inactive employees to increase walking.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the START app, which integrates Self-Determination Theory principles and behavior change techniques, in increasing walking among inactive office employees.
Results Summary
The app was rated favorably for quality, and frequent self-monitoring of step counts positively predicted weekly step counts. App features like reminders and motivational messages were perceived to help users achieve goals by enhancing competence and self-monitoring.
Population
Insufficiently physically active office employees (mean age 44.21 ± 10.95 years, BMI 29.02 ± 5.65).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
16 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
START app | increase | app quality | Walkers | M = 3.68 out of 5 | rated favorably | #1 |
frequency of entering step counts (i.e., frequency of self-monitoring) | increase | weekly step counts measured via Fitbits | insufficiently physically active employees | - | positively predicted | #2 |
App features (entering daily step counts, reminders, and motivational messages) | increase | fostering goal achievement | walkers | - | perceived to assist | #3 |
START app | increase | walking interventions designed to increase walking in the workplace | inactive office employees | - | may be a useful component | #4 |
Apps designed to promote walking behavior | increase | walking behavior | - | - | may be effective | #5 |
BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity is a global health concern. mHealth interventions have become increasingly popular, but to date, principles of effective communication from Self-Determination Theory have not been integrated with behavior change techniques to optimize app effectiveness. We outline the development of the START app, an app combining SDT principles and 17 purposefully chosen BCTs to support inactive office employees to increase their walking during a 16-week randomized controlled trial. We also explored acceptability, engagement with, associations between app usage and behavioral engagement, and perceived impact of the app in supporting behavior change. METHODS: Following development, fifty insufficiently physically active employees (M age = 44.21 ± 10.95 years; BMI = 29.02 ± 5.65) were provided access and instructions on use of the app. A mixed methods design was used to examine feasibility of the app, including the User Mobile App Rating Scale, app engagement data, step counts, and individual interviews. Linear mixed modeling and inductive thematic analysis were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. RESULTS: Walkers rated the app quality favorably (M = 3.68 out of 5). Frequency of entering step counts (i.e., frequency of self-monitoring) on a weekly basis positively predicted weekly step counts measured via Fitbits at both the between-and within-individual levels. App features (entering daily step counts, reminders, and motivational messages) were perceived to assist walkers in fostering goal achievement by building competence and via self-monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: The START app may be a useful component of walking interventions designed to increase walking in the workplace. Apps designed to promote walking behavior may be effective if they target users' competence and integrate BCTs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was part of a pilot larger randomized controlled trial, in which a component of the intervention involved the use of the mobile app. The trial was retrospectively registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618000807257) on 11 May 2018 https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375049&isReview=true .