Supporting Autonomous Motivation for Physical Activity With Chatbots During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Factorial Experiment

Abstract

Background Although physical activity can mitigate disease trajectories and improve and sustain mental health, many people have become less physically active during the COVID-19 pandemic. Personal information technology, such as activity trackers and chatbots, can technically converse with people and possibly enhance their autonomous motivation to engage in physical activity. The literature on behavior change techniques (BCTs) and self-determination theory (SDT) contains promising insights that can be leveraged in the design of these technologies; however, it remains unclear how this can be achieved. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a chatbot system that improves the user’s autonomous motivation for walking based on BCTs and SDT. First, we aimed to develop and evaluate various versions of a chatbot system based on promising BCTs. Second, we aimed to evaluate whether the use of the system improves the autonomous motivation for walking and the associated factors of need satisfaction. Third, we explored the support for the theoretical mechanism and effectiveness of various BCT implementations. Methods We developed a chatbot system using the mobile apps Telegram (Telegram Messenger Inc) and Google Fit (Google LLC). We implemented 12 versions of this system, which differed in 3 BCTs: goal setting, experimenting, and action planning. We then conducted a feasibility study with 102 participants who used this system over the course of 3 weeks, by conversing with a chatbot and completing questionnaires, capturing their perceived app support, need satisfaction, physical activity levels, and motivation. Results The use of the chatbot systems was satisfactory, and on average, its users reported increases in autonomous motivation for walking. The dropout rate was low. Although approximately half of the participants indicated that they would have preferred to interact with a human instead of the chatbot, 46.1% (47/102) of the participants stated that the chatbot helped them become more active, and 42.2% (43/102) of the participants decided to continue using the chatbot for an additional week. Furthermore, the majority thought that a more advanced chatbot could be very helpful. The motivation was associated with the satisfaction of the needs of competence and autonomy, and need satisfaction, in turn, was associated with the perceived system support, providing support for SDT underpinnings. However, no substantial differences were found across different BCT implementations. Conclusions The results provide evidence that chatbot systems are a feasible means to increase autonomous motivation for physical activity. We found support for SDT as a basis for the design, laying a foundation for larger studies to confirm the effectiveness of the selected BCTs within chatbot systems, explore a wider range of BCTs, and help the development of guidelines for the design of interactive technology that helps users achieve long-term health benefits.

Therapy and Emotional Support through a Chatbot

“…In their study, Wlasak et al [15] aimed to assess the viability of a chatbot system intended to enhance users' self-motivation to walk for the purpose of improving their mental health. The system applied behavior change techniques and self-determination theory.…”

Large Language Models: A Comprehensive Survey of its Applications, Challenges, Limitations, and Future Prospects

“…Chatbots excel in scenarios where efficiency, scalability, and rapid information retrieval are essential. They can assist with routine tasks, answer common questions, and provide instant access to information and are becoming increasingly autonomous [588]. They are now able to make their own decisions and to take action without human input.…”

Chatbots and COVID-19: Taking Stock of the Lessons Learned

“…They range from vaccine hesitancy and equity in access to relevant information [13][14][15] to pandemic-related mental health [16][17][18][19]. A number of topics focus on health promotion interventions, such as smoking cessation [20], as well as encouraging physical activity [21] and tooth-brushing [22]. Although the topics are diverse, some common themes have emerged from these explorations, namely, the importance of considering user experience in chatbot design, the need to make chatbots inclusive, and the importance of user trust [23].…”