How to Increase Reach and Adherence of Web-Based Interventions: A Design Research Viewpoint

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Technology, particularly mobile and web-based applications, is increasingly utilized to enhance personal well-being and support health management.
• Current digital health interventions often exhibit limited reach, primarily engaging specific demographics, and suffer from poor user adherence and high dropout rates.
• The potential of design features to influence the effectiveness of web-based interventions remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of specific design features on the reach and adherence of web-based health interventions.
• To explore novel design approaches inspired by design research to improve user engagement.
• To highlight the role of positive affect, induced by persuasive design, in enhancing adherence and well-being within eHealth.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of existing web-based intervention design features.
• Proposal and discussion of three design approaches: personalization, ambient information, and metaphors.
• Focus on the psychological mechanisms linking design, positive affect, and adherence.

Main Results:

• Current design practices in web-based interventions have not fully leveraged design's potential to improve user engagement.
• Personalization, ambient information, and the use of metaphors are identified as promising design strategies.
• Positive affect, stimulated by persuasive design, is crucial for increasing adherence and promoting well-being.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant opportunity to enhance the reach and adherence of digital health interventions through thoughtful application of design principles.
• Future eHealth interventions should integrate persuasive design features that foster positive affect to improve user outcomes.
• Further research is needed to explore and validate innovative design approaches in persuasive eHealth.