Iterative four-phase development of a theory-based digital behaviour change intervention to reduce occupational sedentary behaviour

Abstract

Introduction: As high amounts of occupational sitting have been associated with negative health consequences, designing workplace interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour (SB) is of public health interest. Digital technology may serve as a cost-effective and scalable platform to deliver such an intervention. This study describes the iterative development of a theory-based, digital behaviour change intervention to reduce occupational SB. Methods: The behaviour change wheel and The Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy were used to guide the intervention design process and form a basis for selecting the intervention components. The development process consisted of four phases: phase 1-preliminary research, phase 2-consensus workshops, phase 3-white boarding and phase 4-usability testing. Results: The process led to the development and refinement of a smartphone application-Worktivity. The core component was self-monitoring and feedback of SB at work, complemented by additional features focusing on goal setting, prompts and reminders to break up prolonged periods of sitting, and educational facts and tips. Key features of the app included simple data entry and personalisation based on each individual's self-reported sitting time. Results from the 'think-aloud' interviews (n¼5) suggest Worktivity was well accepted and that users were positive about its features. Conclusion: This study led to the development of Worktivity, a theory-based and user-informed mobile app intervention to reduce occupational SB. It is the first app of its kind developed with the primary aim of reducing occupational SB using digital self-monitoring. This paper provides a template to guide others in the development and evaluation of technologysupported behaviour change interventions.

The “Worktivity” mHealth intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour in the workplace: a feasibility cluster randomised controlled pilot study

“…The Worktivity app is described in detail elsewhere [ 24 ]. Briefly, the app targets SB change by allowing users to self-monitor their SB, view feedback on their SB in real-time, set “sit-less goals”, receive prompts/reminders to meet their goals, visualize goal progression, and receive educational tips on how to reduce SB.…”

“…We attempted to address this challenge by developing a novel, theory based, and user informed mobile app intervention -"Worktivity" -designed to reduce occupational SB. In line with guidelines on the development and evaluation of complex interventions [23], the Worktivity intervention was developed using a four-phase iterative approach based on formative research findings [24]. We then progressed to feasibility and pilot testing of the intervention to better understand "how" and "why" Worktivity might work in practice and to inform a future definitive trial on its effectiveness.…”

A knowledge-based system for personalised lifestyle recommendations: Design and simulation of potential effectiveness on the UK Biobank data

“…1: High-level diagram of the proposed system. behaviour [24], management of hypertension [25] and diabetes [26], [27], smoking cessation [28], [29], alcohol reduction [30] and medication adherence [31], [32] or discontinuation [33]. The steps needed to develop an intervention following the BCW are: 1) Specifying the target behaviour; 2) identifying theoretical domains that explain the behaviour; 3) identifying how to target the theoretical domains; 4) selecting behaviour change techniques.…”

“…The BCW provides a framework to develop complex interventions that is comprehensive, coherent and linked to a behavioural model, the COM-B model. This framework has been used to develop digital interventions that are both accepted by users and effective for a variety of behaviours, including improving diet [19], [20], [21], increasing physical activity [19], [22], [23] and reducing sedentary behaviour [24], management of hypertension [25] and diabetes [26], [27], smoking cessation [28], [29], alcohol reduction [30] and medication adherence [31], [32] or discontinuation [33]. The steps needed to develop an intervention following the BCW are: 1) Specifying the target behaviour; 2) identifying theoretical domains that explain the behaviour; 3) identifying how to target the theoretical domains; 4) selecting behaviour change techniques.…”

Prediction framework for upper body sedentary working behaviour by using deep learning and machine learning techniques

“…It is a method for replacing work sitting tasks with non-sitting tasks, which could be combined with engineering controls such as work equipment and resources to allow productive tasks to be completed without sitting. Environments can also be designed with features that replace non-sedentary activities with sedentary tasks (for example, allowing walking meetings instead of sitting) (Bandyopadhyay and Dutta 2020;Stephenson et al 2020). Controlling activities may be required when scheduling breaks from sedentary work tasks.…”