Persuasive system features in computer-mediated lifestyle modification interventions for physical activity

ABSTRACT

Objective: Increasing physical activity has been identified as one of the most important factors in lifestyle modification. Previous studies have reported the effectiveness of using the Internet in motivating behavioral modifications of physical activities. The aim of this study is to identify the persuasive system features most frequently used in computer-mediated physical activities in the current literature.

Materials and Methods: In this review, intervention studies were identified through a structured computerized search of PubMed, PsychInfo, and Web of Science. The results of the search were analyzed using the persuasive systems design (PSD) features identified by Oinas-Kukkonen and Harjumaa (2009).

Results: Thirty-eight articles were reviewed, and the features of the physical activity interventions described were mapped to the identified facets of PSD. The PSD features used most often by researchers in the studies considered in this research included tailoring, tunneling, reminders, trustworthiness, and expertise. The effectiveness of the interventions described in the studies was also compared. The stage of change theory was applied in several intervention studies, and the importance of stage of change has been identified in effectiveness of persuasion toward physical activity.

KEYWORDS:

• Persuasive technology
• behavior change support systems
• tailoring
• reminders
• physical activity

Research highlights

• The persuasive systems design features commonly present in physical activity intervention studies were identified.

• The tailoring, tunneling, reminders, trustworthiness, and expertise features were used more frequently than others in promoting health behavior change to increase physical activity.

• The tailoring feature was frequently used in conjunction with features from the dialogue support category to encourage physical activity in online applications.

• The social support category was not discussed widely in physical activity intervention studies.

• The effectiveness of computer-mediated lifestyle modification interventions for physical activity was gauged.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.