BackgroundMobile health (mHealth) apps demonstrate promise for improving sleep at scale. End-user engagement is a prerequisite for sustained use and effectiveness.ObjectiveWe assessed the needs and preferences of those with poor sleep and insomnia to inform the development of an engaging sleep app.MethodsWe triangulated results from qualitative (focus groups and app reviews) and quantitative (online survey) approaches. A total of 2 focus groups were conducted (N=9). An online survey tested themes identified from the focus groups against a larger population (N=167). In addition, we analyzed 434 user reviews of 6 mobile apps available on app stores.ResultsCommon focus group themes included the need to account for diverse sleep phenotypes with an adaptive and tailored program, key app features (alarms and sleep diaries), the complex yet condescending nature of existing resources, providing rationale for information requested, and cost as a motivator. Most survey participants (156/167, 93%) would try an evidence-based sleep app. The most important app features reported were sleep diaries (148/167, 88%), sharing sleep data with a doctor (116/167, 70%), and lifestyle tracking (107/167, 64%). App reviews highlighted the alarm as the most salient app feature (43/122, 35%) and data synchronization with a wearable device (WD) as the most commonly mentioned functionality (40/135, 30%).ConclusionsThis co-design process involving end users through 3 methods consistently highlighted sleep tracking (through a diary and WD), alarms, and personalization as vital for engagement, although their implementation was commonly criticized in review. Engagement is negatively affected by poorly designed features, bugs, and didactic information which must be addressed. Other needs depend upon the type of user, for example, those with severe insomnia.

Volunteering benefits those who receive and those who provide help. Yet barriers can inhibit engagement with and motivation for volunteering activities. Online environments on one hand help to lower some of these barriers, but on the other hand they can introduce new obstacles specially when the medium transforms the social interactions important to volunteers. We study the motivational drivers of online volunteering, and how those are affected by design. Specifically, we focus on relatedness as a source of motivation. We describe two studies with volunteers that help medical students to learn and improve their communication skills through mock interviews in an educational program. The volunteers can participate in the program face-to-face or through an online platform. The first study consisted of a survey (n = 66 volunteers), two workshops and one interview (n = 12 volunteers) in which we explored volunteer demographics, motivations, psychological needs, and experiences. Findings suggested relatedness can be an important indicator of volunteer motivations. In the second study, we added a feature to the online platform to display personal gratitude messages from student beneficiaries to the volunteers in order to improve the experience of relatedness between them. In total, n = 30 volunteers completed 196 sessions. We used survey and system data to assess the impact of gratitude on perceived relatedness, motivation, and behavior (immediate, booked, and completed appointments). Results showed that the expression of gratitude by the beneficiary significantly affected the volunteer's experience of relatedness which then correlated with immediate appointments booking behavior by each volunteer. The implications for design of online volunteering systems are discussed.

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Several smart phone connected devices are becoming popular as replacements for pedometers for monitoring human activity and exercise levels. Most of them, including Fitbit and Nike Fuel Band measure step cadence using accelerometers. It would be advantageous to obtain this data using smart phone sensors without additional devices but smart phones produce varying accelerometer signal patterns when carried in different locations on the body. Magnetometers are an alternative low power sensor on most smart phones that could potentially be used for cadence estimation. We provide an algorithm that derives walking and running cadence from magnetometer readings that is robust to the location on the body that the smart phone is carried. The algorithm has been tested with data gathered from twenty one subjects while walking and running, in several body locations that should comprehensively represent body movements. A high accuracy was achieved when the estimated cadence was verified against an accelerometer worn on the subject's thigh. The algorithm is robust in dealing with sudden changes in direction while walking or running which is also likely to make it robust against magnetic field fluctuations that are common in urban environments.

This paper presents an investigation into the experiences and perceptions of volunteers and community managers of an Australian voluntary-sector organization that supports young help-seeking people. The process focused specifically on the design of a chat tool, a rudimentary version of which was conceptualized and tested during a trial completed prior to this study. The process explored the motivations and experiences of these volunteers using a codesign approach, which led to the development of specific features of the chat tool that were tailored to the nature of their work and organization, as well as the sector-specific ethos. We employed several research methods, which included interviews, focus groups, and participatory design workshops. Thematic analyses were performed on the resultant qualitative data. The methods, motivational themes, and the ensuing design solutions that were implemented are discussed in detail with the aim of encouraging codesign of technology for voluntary-sector organizations.