Interactive Condition (HAPA-I: Group 1), Non-communication Condition (No Comm: Group 3), Non-interactive Condition (HAPA-NI: Group 2)
Conditions
Keywords
mHealth, Health Action Process Approach, Healthy Diet, Behavioral Change techniques, Behavioral Goal Setting, Self-monitoring, Rewards
Brief summary
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a healthy diet promotion intervention focused on increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. The intervention is delivered via mobile application in a sample drawn from the healthy adult population.
Detailed description
The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a protocol designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, grounded in the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA). The protocol was delivered via the MyPocketHealth app, developed by the research team, and incorporated different communication strategies. Participants were involved in setting a goal and choosing between a personalized or a standardized goal (5 daily portions), which could be reviewed at any time. Moreover, they received either interactive (HAPA-I: group 1) or non-interactive (HAPA-NI: group 2) daily notifications promoting the target behavior through HAPA constructs for 15 days, while also monitoring their daily fruit and vegetable consumption (self-monitoring). A third group engaged solely in self-monitoring without receiving any communication (no-communication group; No comm). Goal attainment was reinforced through badge awards (rewards).
Interventions
BEHAVIORALInteractive communication
Participants received two daily notifications. Each notification included a question about a variable from the HAPA model, and participants responded on a 5-point Likert scale. Those who scored low (1-3) received a motivational message tailored to their response. In contrast, participants who scored high (4-5) received rewarding messages. These notifications gave participants feedback on their standings within the HAPA.
BEHAVIORALNon-interactive Communication
Participants received two daily educational notifications about HAPA variables, but they did not interact with the app. The notifications for both the HAPA-I and HAPA-NI groups were identical in structure, word count, and graphic format. The only difference was the level of content customization: it was generic for the HAPA-NI group and tailored to participants' responses for the HAPA-I group.
BEHAVIORALSelf-monitoring
Participants received a daily reminder to log the portions of fruit and vegetables in a dedicated self-monitoring section of the app.
Sponsors
Marco D'Addario
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Masking description
The baseline assessment, the intervention, and the post-intervention assessment are provided automatically via the mobile app. In addition, participants are randomly assigned to a specific experimental group before the study begins and do not know which group they are assigned to. These features of the study minimize observer bias.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Individuals from the general population in good health * Adequate level of education to understand study procedures and to use a smartphone * Ownership and regular use of a smartphone
Exclusion criteria
* Medical conditions that contraindicate an increased consumption of fruit and vegetables * Habitual consumption of five (or more) portions of fruit and vegetables per day at baseline
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Daily Fruit and Vegetable Intake from Baseline | From Day 1 to Day 15 (end of intervention) | Participants self-monitored daily fruit and vegetable intake throughout the study period. Each evening, participants received a reminder and recorded the number of fruit and vegetable portions consumed that day via a dedicated app interface. At the end of the 15-day intervention, the mean daily intake was calculated for each participant. This value was then compared with baseline intake (assessed prior to the start of the intervention) to evaluate whether a statistically significant increase in daily fruit and vegetable consumption was observed. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Perceived Well-Being (WHO-5 Index) | Baseline and Day 15 (end of intervention) | Perceived well-being is assessed using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, a validated self-report questionnaire that measures subjective psychological well-being. The WHO-5 consists of five items rated on a 6-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater well-being. Scores are collected at baseline and at the end of the 15-day intervention. The outcome is defined as the change in WHO-5 score from baseline to post-intervention. |
Countries
Italy
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMarco D'Addario, PhD
University of Milano Bicocca
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMaria Elide Vanutelli, PhD
University of Milano Bicocca
Outcome results
None listed