TY - JOUR
T1 - Users' Experiences With the NoHoW Web-Based Toolkit With Weight and Activity Tracking in Weight Loss Maintenance
T2 - Long-term Randomized Controlled Trial
AU - Mattila, Elina
AU - Hansen, Susanne
AU - Bundgaard, Lise
AU - Ramsey, Lauren
AU - Dunning, Alice
AU - Silva, Marlene N.
AU - Harjumaa, Marja
AU - Ermes, Miikka
AU - Marques, Marta M.
AU - Matos, Marcela
AU - Larsen, Sofus C.
AU - Encantado, Jorge
AU - Santos, Ines
AU - Horgan, Graham
AU - O'Driscoll, Ruairi
AU - Turicchi, Jake
AU - Duarte, Cristiana
AU - Palmeira, Antonio L.
AU - Stubbs, R. James
AU - Heitmann, Berit Lilienthal
AU - Lahteenmaki, Liisa
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Background: Digital behavior change interventions (DBCIs) offer a promising channel for providing health promotion services. However, user experience largely determines whether they are used, which is a precondition for effectiveness.Objective: The primary aim of this study is to evaluate user experiences with the NoHoW Toolkit (TK)-a DBCI that targets weight loss maintenance-over a 12-month period by using a mixed methods approach and to identify the main strengths and weaknesses of the TK and the external factors affecting its adoption. The secondary aim is to objectively describe the measured use of the TK and its association with user experience.Methods: An 18-month, 2x2 factorial randomized controlled trial was conducted. The trial included 3 intervention arms receiving an 18-week active intervention and a control arm. The user experience of the TK was assessed quantitatively through electronic questionnaires after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of use. The questionnaires also included open-ended items that were thematically analyzed. Focus group interviews were conducted after 6 months of use and thematically analyzed to gain deeper insight into the user experience. Log files of the TK were used to evaluate the number of visits to the TK, the total duration of time spent in the TK, and information on intervention completion.Results: The usability level of the TK was rated as satisfactory. User acceptance was rated as modest; this declined during the trial in all the arms, as did the objectively measured use of the TK. The most appreciated features were weekly emails, graphs, goal setting, and interactive exercises. The following 4 themes were identified in the qualitative data: engagement with features, decline in use, external factors affecting user experience, and suggestions for improvements.Conclusions: The long-term user experience of the TK highlighted the need to optimize the technical functioning, appearance, and content of the DBCI before and during the trial, similar to how a commercial app would be optimized. In a trial setting, the users should be made aware of how to use the intervention and what its requirements are, especially when there is more intensive intervention content.
AB - Background: Digital behavior change interventions (DBCIs) offer a promising channel for providing health promotion services. However, user experience largely determines whether they are used, which is a precondition for effectiveness.Objective: The primary aim of this study is to evaluate user experiences with the NoHoW Toolkit (TK)-a DBCI that targets weight loss maintenance-over a 12-month period by using a mixed methods approach and to identify the main strengths and weaknesses of the TK and the external factors affecting its adoption. The secondary aim is to objectively describe the measured use of the TK and its association with user experience.Methods: An 18-month, 2x2 factorial randomized controlled trial was conducted. The trial included 3 intervention arms receiving an 18-week active intervention and a control arm. The user experience of the TK was assessed quantitatively through electronic questionnaires after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of use. The questionnaires also included open-ended items that were thematically analyzed. Focus group interviews were conducted after 6 months of use and thematically analyzed to gain deeper insight into the user experience. Log files of the TK were used to evaluate the number of visits to the TK, the total duration of time spent in the TK, and information on intervention completion.Results: The usability level of the TK was rated as satisfactory. User acceptance was rated as modest; this declined during the trial in all the arms, as did the objectively measured use of the TK. The most appreciated features were weekly emails, graphs, goal setting, and interactive exercises. The following 4 themes were identified in the qualitative data: engagement with features, decline in use, external factors affecting user experience, and suggestions for improvements.Conclusions: The long-term user experience of the TK highlighted the need to optimize the technical functioning, appearance, and content of the DBCI before and during the trial, similar to how a commercial app would be optimized. In a trial setting, the users should be made aware of how to use the intervention and what its requirements are, especially when there is more intensive intervention content.
KW - digital behavior change intervention
KW - user experience
KW - technology acceptance
KW - weight-loss maintenance
KW - focus groups
KW - mixed methods
KW - mobile phone
KW - TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE
KW - MANAGEMENT
U2 - 10.2196/29302
DO - 10.2196/29302
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 35006081
VL - 24
JO - Journal of Medical Internet Research
JF - Journal of Medical Internet Research
SN - 1439-4456
IS - 1
M1 - 29302
ER -