Translating Promoting Factors and Behavior Change Principles Into a Blended and Technology-Supported Intervention to Stimulate Physical Activity in Children With Asthma (Foxfit): Design Study (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Children with asthma can decrease the impact of their disease by improving their physical activity (PA). However, healthcare providers lack in interventions for children with asthma that effectively increase their PA levels and achieve behavior change regarding PA. A technology supported approach can positively influence PA and physical functioning in children. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to develop a technology supported intervention that facilitates healthcare providers in promoting PA for children with asthma and to systematically describe this developmental process. METHODS Intervention mapping (IM) was applied to develop a blended and technology supported intervention in co-creation with children with asthma, their parents, and healthcare providers. According to the IM framework, the following steps were performed: 1) conduct a needs assessment; 2) define the intervention outcome, performance objectives, and change objectives; 3) select theory based intervention methods and strategies; 4) create components of the intervention and conduct pilot tests; 5) create an implementation plan; and 6) create an evaluation plan. RESULTS We developed the blended intervention “Foxfit” that consists of an app with a physical activity monitor (PAM) for children with asthma, and a web-based dashboard for their healthcare provider. The intervention focusses on PA in everyday life to improve social participation. Foxfit contains components based on behavior change principles and gamification: goal setting, rewards, action planning, (self-)monitoring, shaping knowledge, a gamified story, personal coaching and feedback, and a tailored approach. CONCLUSIONS The IM framework was very useful to systematically develop a technology supported intervention and to describe the translational process from scientific evidence, the needs and wishes of future users, and behavior change principles into this intervention. This has led to the technology supported intervention Foxfit that facilitates healthcare providers in promoting PA in children with asthma. The structured description of the development process and functional components shows the way behavior change techniques are incorporated in the intervention. CLINICALTRIAL Dutch Trial Register: NTR6658