eHealth Literacy, Physical Activity, Technology Acceptance
Conditions
Keywords
digital literacy, physical activity apps, UTAUT2, eHealth, behavioral intention, mobile health, older women, randomized controlled study
Brief summary
This randomized controlled study examined whether a structured digital literacy training program could improve eHealth literacy, acceptance of physical activity applications, and behavioral intentions among older women. Participants aged 55 years and older with prior experience using physical activity applications were randomly assigned to either a 9-week face-to-face digital literacy training intervention or a control group that continued usual daily activities without receiving any educational program. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after the intervention. The study evaluated whether improving digital literacy enhances technology acceptance and supports intentions to use physical activity applications and engage in physical activity.
Detailed description
Physical activity is an important factor supporting health, independence, and quality of life among older adults; however, many individuals face barriers to maintaining regular activity. Digital solutions, such as physical activity applications, may help promote activity, but their acceptance among older adults remains inconsistent and is influenced by digital literacy and related factors. This study examined whether a structured digital literacy training intervention could improve eHealth literacy, acceptance of physical activity applications, and behavioral intentions related to application use and physical activity among older women. Older women were selected as the target population due to evidence suggesting lower levels of digital literacy and lower acceptance of health technologies in this group. The study was based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2), supplemented with personal innovativeness. A randomized controlled pre-post experimental design was used. Participants aged 55 years and older with prior experience using physical activity applications were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Following baseline assessment, participants were assigned to either an experimental or control group. The experimental group received a structured digital literacy training program, while the control group continued usual daily activities without intervention. The intervention consisted of a structured 9-week face-to-face digital literacy training program focused on developing practical skills for using physical activity applications. The training emphasized hands-on practice, individualized support, and progressive skill development. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after the intervention. Measures included eHealth literacy, UTAUT2-based technology acceptance constructs (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, habit, and personal innovativeness), intention to use physical activity applications, and intention to engage in physical activity.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALDigital Literacy Training Program
The intervention consisted of a structured 9-week digital literacy training program delivered through weekly face-to-face sessions lasting approximately 60 minutes. The program focused on developing practical skills in using physical activity applications, including app selection, installation, navigation, privacy settings, goal setting, activity tracking, and interpretation of activity data. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises and received individualized support to enhance their eHealth literacy and confidence in using mobile health technologies. Printed instructional materials and home practice tasks were provided to reinforce learning and encourage independent use of applications.
Sponsors
Lithuanian Sports University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either an intervention group receiving a structured digital literacy training program or a control group continuing usual activities without intervention, using stratified block randomization based on age group and prior app use status (current vs former users). Both groups were assessed at baseline and after the intervention.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
55 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Female sex * Age ≥55 years * Prior experience using physical activity applications (current or former users) * Engagement in at least minimal physical activity (≥1 time per week) * Access to a smartphone * Ability to understand the study procedures and provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Male sex * Age \<55 years * No prior experience using physical activity applications * Not engaging in at least minimal physical activity (less than once per week) * No access to a smartphone * Inability to understand the study procedures or provide informed consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in eHealth literacy | Baseline and post-intervention at 9 weeks | eHealth literacy was assessed using the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), an 8-item self-report measure of perceived knowledge, confidence, and skills in locating, evaluating, and applying electronic health information for health-related purposes. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Total scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicating better eHealth literacy. |
| Change in physical activity application acceptance | Baseline and post-intervention at 9 weeks | Physical activity application acceptance was assessed using constructs from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2), including performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, and habit, with personal innovativeness included as an additional construct. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree), and scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater acceptance of physical activity applications. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in intention to use physical activity applications | Baseline and post-intervention at 9 weeks | Intention to use physical activity applications was assessed using items based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2), reflecting participants' willingness and likelihood to use physical activity applications in the future. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree), and scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating stronger intention to use physical activity applications. |
| Change in intention to engage in physical activity | Baseline and post-intervention at 9 weeks | Intention to engage in physical activity was assessed using self-report items measuring participants' motivation and planned behavior to be physically active. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree), and scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating stronger intention to engage in physical activity. |
Countries
Lithuania
Outcome results
None listed