Rethinking how and when to report descriptions of behavior change content within interventions: a case study of an ongoing physical activity trial (ready steady 3.0)

Abstract

Specifications of what and how much health behavior change (BC) content within research interventions are needed to advance BC science, its implementation, and dissemination. We analyzed the types and dosages of the smallest potentially active BC ingredients and associated behavioral prescriptions intended to be delivered in an ongoing physical activity optimization trial for older adults (Ready Steady 3.0 [RS3]). We defined BC types as behavior change techniques (BCT) and behavioral prescriptions. Our protocol integrated the BCT Taxonomy coding procedures with BCT roles (primary or secondary) and, when relevant, linkages to behavioral prescriptions. Primary BCTs targeted theoretical mechanisms of action, whereas secondary BCTs supported primary BCT delivery. Behavioral prescriptions represented what participants were encouraged to do with each primary BCT in RS3 (ascertain, practice, implement). We assessed dosage parameters of duration, frequency, and amount in each BCT and prescription. Results provided a catalog of in-depth, multidimensional content specifications with 12 primary BCTs, each supported by 2-7 secondary BCTs, with dosages ranging from 2 to 8 weeks, 1 to 8 contacts, and 5 to 451 minutes. Minutes spent on behavioral prescriptions varied: ascertain (1 to 41), practice (5 to 315), and implement (0 to 38). Results can be organized and summarized in varied ways (e.g., by content component) to strengthen future assessments of RS3 fidelity and intervention refinement. Results highlight potential benefits of this early, integrated approach to analyzing BC content and frames questions about how such information might be incorporated and disseminated with reporting research outcomes.

Effect of Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Behavior Change Strategies on Physical Activity Among Older Adults

“…The evidence-based OEP and wearable PAMs were considered core components, integral to interventions in all conditions. In-depth details about each component’s delivery and behavior change content, links to behavior change techniques, their dosages, and what participants were encouraged to do with each BCS were previously reported …”

“…In general, the interventionist delivered each BCS by first introducing it and then facilitating its practice during 2 intervention meetings. The meetings involved encouragement to build on, test, and implement it at home between intervention meetings and after intervention completion …”

“…In-depth details about each component's delivery and behavior change content, links to behavior change techniques, 36 their dosages, and what participants were encouraged to do with each BCS were previously reported. 37 Experimental Components | In general, the interventionist delivered each BCS by first introducing it and then facilitating its practice during 2 intervention meetings. The meetings involved encouragement to build on, test, and implement it at home between intervention meetings and after intervention completion.…”

“…The meetings involved encouragement to build on, test, and implement it at home between intervention meetings and after intervention completion. 37 The intrapersonal BCS experimental component consisted of 5 BCSs that incorporated personal reflection on PA-related experiences, beliefs, desires, and routines. These BCSs (highlighted in the Box) were selected based on theoretical and empirical evidence 19,38,39 and targeted the putative psychosocial mechanisms of readiness, self-efficacy, and self-regulation.…”

A data extraction template for the behaviour change intervention ontology

“…The Human Behaviour-Change Project ( Michie et al , 2017 ) has developed a Behaviour Change Intervention Ontology (BCIO) as part of constructing an automated ‘knowledge system’ for gathering information from reports of behaviour change intervention evaluations, and using this information to predict intervention outcomes in novel scenarios ( Michie et al , 2021 ). The BCIO contains more than 1000 entities relating to intervention content (BCTs; Marques et al , 2023 ), delivery (including mode ( Marques et al , 2020 ), source ( Norris et al , 2021 ), style ( Wright et al , 2023 ) and schedule), engagement, target population, setting ( Norris et al , 2020 ), target behaviour, and mechanisms of action ( Schenk et al , 2023 ).…”