TY - JOUR
T1 - Behavior change techniques in top-ranked mobile apps for physical activity
AU - Conroy, David E.
AU - Yang, Chih Hsiang
AU - Maher, Jaclyn P.
N1 - Funding Information:
Funding for this work was provided in part by the Penn State Social Science Research Institute. The authors thank Rachel Angstadt, Leah Blatt, Kristen Elliot, Jazmine Gordon, Ashley Jones, Ashley Lutter, and Elisabet Polanco for their contributions as coders.
PY - 2014/6
Y1 - 2014/6
N2 - Background Mobile applications (apps) have potential for helping people increase their physical activity, but little is known about the behavior change techniques marketed in these apps. Purpose The aim of this study was to characterize the behavior change techniques represented in online descriptions of top-ranked apps for physical activity. Methods Top-ranked apps (n=167) were identified on August 28, 2013, and coded using the Coventry, Aberdeen and London-Revised (CALO-RE) taxonomy of behavior change techniques during the following month. Analyses were conducted during 2013. Results Most descriptions of apps incorporated fewer than four behavior change techniques. The most common techniques involved providing instruction on how to perform exercises, modeling how to perform exercises, providing feedback on performance, goal-setting for physical activity, and planning social support/change. A latent class analysis revealed the existence of two types of apps, educational and motivational, based on their configurations of behavior change techniques. Conclusions Behavior change techniques are not widely marketed in contemporary physical activity apps. Based on the available descriptions and functions of the observed techniques in contemporary health behavior theories, people may need multiple apps to initiate and maintain behavior change. This audit provides a starting point for scientists, developers, clinicians, and consumers to evaluate and enhance apps in this market.
AB - Background Mobile applications (apps) have potential for helping people increase their physical activity, but little is known about the behavior change techniques marketed in these apps. Purpose The aim of this study was to characterize the behavior change techniques represented in online descriptions of top-ranked apps for physical activity. Methods Top-ranked apps (n=167) were identified on August 28, 2013, and coded using the Coventry, Aberdeen and London-Revised (CALO-RE) taxonomy of behavior change techniques during the following month. Analyses were conducted during 2013. Results Most descriptions of apps incorporated fewer than four behavior change techniques. The most common techniques involved providing instruction on how to perform exercises, modeling how to perform exercises, providing feedback on performance, goal-setting for physical activity, and planning social support/change. A latent class analysis revealed the existence of two types of apps, educational and motivational, based on their configurations of behavior change techniques. Conclusions Behavior change techniques are not widely marketed in contemporary physical activity apps. Based on the available descriptions and functions of the observed techniques in contemporary health behavior theories, people may need multiple apps to initiate and maintain behavior change. This audit provides a starting point for scientists, developers, clinicians, and consumers to evaluate and enhance apps in this market.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.amepre.2014.01.010
DO - 10.1016/j.amepre.2014.01.010
M3 - Article
C2 - 24842742
AN - SCOPUS:84901035003
SN - 0749-3797
VL - 46
SP - 649
EP - 652
JO - American Journal of Preventive Medicine
JF - American Journal of Preventive Medicine
IS - 6
ER -