None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Current mHealth interventions aimed to improve physical activity or sleep quantity have employed several behavior change techniques in their systems, but were not experimentally manipulated (Murawski et al., 2019). Consequently, it is difficult to identify which technique actually influences behavior (Schroé et al., 2020). To date, the efficacy of single or specific combinations of behavior change techniques is unknown (Schroé et al., 2020) and there is a need for further investigation of theoretical backgrounds in intervention studies in order to draw a clear conclusion (Fiedler et al., 2020). To explore the effects of the implementation of one of these techniques (i.e., self-monitoring) to target multiple lifestyle behaviours (i.e., physical activity participation and sleep duration), this study investigates whether isolating the use of gamification design elements (such as points, leaderboards, and progress bars), can influence the motivation of participants and increase the effectiveness of an mHealth intervention to promote physical activity and sleep duration. The understanding on the efficacy of a single behaviour change technique modulation can provide guidance in developing future mHealth interventions. We hypothesize that the group receiving points or leaderboards (i.e., gamification) will increase a) the number of daily steps, b) the time on moderate to vigorous physical activity, c) sleep duration, more than the control group that participate in the competition but without feedback of the colleagues’ points. The LevantApp Study employed a 2-arm parallel group (1:1) single blind randomized controlled trial, with targeted physical activity and sleep quality as primary outcomes' in an 8-week intervention using an m-health approach. All individuals were provided a wearable device and engagement prompts to participate in the `LevantApp Challenge´ which consisted of determining who improved their levels of physical activity and sleep the most. However, the intervention group was given immediate feedback (daily reports) to the group success (such as points, leaderboards, and progress bars) while the control group had no information of the performance of the other participants.
Interventions
The LevantApp Study employed a 2-arm parallel group (1:1) single blind randomized controlled trial, with targeted physical activity and sleep quality as primary outcomes' in an 8-week intervention using an m-health approach. All individuals were provided a wearable device and engagement prompts to participate in the `LevantApp Challenge´ which consisted of determining who improved their levels of physical activity and sleep the most. However, the intervention group was given immediate feedback (
The LevantApp Study employed a 2-arm parallel group (1:1) single blind randomized controlled trial, with targeted physical activity and sleep quality as primary outcomes' in an 8-week intervention using an m-health approach. All individuals were provided a wearable device and engagement prompts to participate in the `LevantApp Challenge´ which consisted of determining who improved their levels of physical activity and sleep the most. However, the intervention group was given immediate feedback (daily reports) to the group success (such as points, leaderboards, and progress bars) while the control group had no information of the performance of the other participants. Participants were advised to wear the wristband (Muvone, Secmotic, Spain) on the nondominant wrist in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. Except for water-based activities, the device must be worn during all waking hours, including during sleep. To avoid bias during this phase, only a brief description of the `LevantApp Challenge´ was given during this visit. If you are here, it is because you are going to participate in the #LevantApp challenge. What does this experience consist of? Your active habits (e.g., how much we move) and sedentary habits (e.g., for how long we sit) will be assessed and we will propose challenges to change your lifestyle. An important prize awaits you at the end of this competition. We do not anticipate you more… in the following link you will be able to access LevantApp. Shall we start? Every evening (once per day) all users received a notification via Whatsapp with an individual link to reflect on their physical activities and sleep duration for that day. Goals to be entered into the link for physical activity included; the daily step count, the daily number of minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity and the energy expenditure; and for sleep, the sleep hours (time to wake (hh:mm) minus time to bed (hh:mm). Percentage of time wearable device worn will be determined by accessing app analytics. Participants allocated to the experimental group received feedback on their daily progress on bar charts which displays their progress toward their goals (personalised to participants once per day). Daily progress in relation to the goals: physical activity, step count, energy expenditure and sleep quantity was showed.
Sponsors
University of Seville
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
To take part in the study, participants have to live in Seville (Spain), be 18–55 years of age and have access to an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet with internet access. Participants were recruited across the campus of the University of Seville, through social media and word of mouth.
Exclusion criteria
Participants will be excluded if they had a diagnosis of a sleep disorder such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnoea or narcolepsy, if they were taking any sleep-aid medication or having any condition which would contraindicate participation in physical activity.
Outcome results
None listed