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Design and evaluation of theory-informed technology to augment a wellness motivation intervention

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Translational Behavioral Medicine

ABSTRACT

Integrating mobile technology into health promotion strategies has the potential to support healthy behaviors. A new theory-informed app was designed to augment an intervention promoting wellness motivation in older adults with fall risk and low levels of physical activity. The app content was evaluated for clarity, homogeneity, and validity of motivational messages; both the app and device were evaluated for acceptability and usability. The initial evaluation included nine adults (mean age, 75); four of whom also assessed the app’s sensing abilities in the field. As part of an intervention feasibility study, 14 older adults (mean age, 84) also provided a follow-up evaluation of app usability. Evaluation participants assessed the app as valid, usable, acceptable, and able to sense most reported free-living activities, and provided feedback for improving the app. Design processes illustrate methodologic and interpretive efforts to operationalize motivational content in a theory-informed app promoting change in physical activity behavior.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by John A. Hartford Foundation/Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity Program Pre-Doctoral Scholarship Program and the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Nursing Research Grant #F31NR01235.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Siobhan McMahon MPH, PhD, GNP-BC

  2. Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, 1501 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304-1126, USA

    Mithra Vankipuram PhD

  3. School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, 500 N. Third Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA

    Eric B Hekler PhD

  4. College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, 500 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA

    Julie Fleury PhD, FAAN

Authors
  1. Siobhan McMahon MPH, PhD, GNP-BC
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  2. Mithra Vankipuram PhD
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  3. Eric B Hekler PhD
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  4. Julie Fleury PhD, FAAN
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Siobhan McMahon MPH, PhD, GNP-BC.

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Implications

Practice: Mobile health applications (apps) may be a promising adjunct to promoting physical activity among older adults, particularly when their design is informed by relevant behavioral theory and is user-centered.

Policy: To address complex processes of change required for the initiation and maintenance of these physical activity behaviors, policy makers supporting programs that target older adults need to invest in innovative solutions such as theory-informed, and user-centric technology that supports behavioral change.

Research: Researchers may use theory to inform the design and evaluation of technology that supports behavior change as a basis for further technology, intervention, and theory development.

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McMahon, S., Vankipuram, M., Hekler, E.B. et al. Design and evaluation of theory-informed technology to augment a wellness motivation intervention. Behav. Med. Pract. Policy Res. 4, 95–107 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-013-0221-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-013-0221-4

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