Users' thoughts and opinions about a self-regulation-based eHealth intervention targeting physical activity and the intake of fruit and vegetables: A qualitative study

EHealth interventions are effective in changing health behaviours, such as increasing physical activity and altering dietary habits, but suffer from high attrition rates. In order to create interventions that are adapted to end-users, in-depth investigations about their opinions and preferences are...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	PloS one 2017-12, Vol.12 (12), p.e0190020-e0190020
Main Authors:	Poppe, Louise, Van der Mispel, Celien, De Bourdeaudhuij, Ilse, Verloigne, Maïté, Shadid, Samyah, Crombez, Geert
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Acceptance testing Adaptation Adaptations Adults Aged Analysis Applications programs Biology and Life Sciences Care and treatment Chronic illnesses Design Diabetes Diabetes mellitus Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - physiopathology Diet E-health End users Exercise Female Fruit Fruits Habits Health Health behavior Health psychology Health sciences Humans Intervention Lifestyles Male Medicine Medicine and Health Sciences Meta-analysis Middle Aged Mobile computing Objectives Physical activity Physical fitness Population Qualitative Research Questionnaires Research and Analysis Methods Services Studies Systematic review Target groups Telemedicine Theory Type 2 diabetes User requirements Vegetables
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Summary:	EHealth interventions are effective in changing health behaviours, such as increasing physical activity and altering dietary habits, but suffer from high attrition rates. In order to create interventions that are adapted to end-users, in-depth investigations about their opinions and preferences are required. As opinions and preferences may vary for different target groups, we explored these in two groups: the general population and a clinical sample. Twenty adults from the general population (mean age = 42.65, 11 women) and twenty adults with type 2 diabetes (mean age = 64.30, 12 women) performed 'MyPlan 1.0', which is a self-regulation-based eHealth intervention designed to increase physical activity and the intake of fruit and vegetables in the general population. The opinions and preferences of end-users were explored using a think aloud procedure and a questionnaire. During a home visit, participants were invited to think aloud while performing 'MyPlan 1.0'. The thoughts were transcribed verbatim and inductive thematic analysis was applied. Both groups had similar opinions regarding health behaviours and 'MyPlan 1.0'. Participants generally liked the website, but often experienced it as time-consuming. Furthermore, they regularly mentioned that a mobile application would be useful to remind them about their goals on a daily basis. Finally, users' ideas about how to pursue health behaviours often hindered them to correctly use the website. Although originally created for the general population, 'MyPlan 1.0' can also be used in adults with type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, more adaptations are needed to make the eHealth intervention more convenient and less time-consuming. Furthermore, users' ideas regarding a healthy lifestyle should be taken into account when designing online interventions.
ISSN:	1932-6203 1932-6203