A Framework for Analyzing and Measuring Usage and Engagement Data (AMUsED) in Digital Interventions: Viewpoint.

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Informatics
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Digital interventions generate rich usage data, but analyses often lack granularity.
• Current usage analyses typically provide only broad descriptive summaries.
• A need exists for systematic, fine-grained analysis to understand intervention mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel framework for systematic, in-depth analysis of digital intervention usage data.
• To enable a better understanding of how, when, and for whom digital interventions work.
• To support standardized reporting and replicable findings in digital intervention research.

Main Methods:

• The proposed framework involves three stages: familiarization with intervention-data relationships, identifying usage measures and research questions, and data preparation/analytical method consideration.
• The framework guides both data capture during development and post-trial analysis.
• Demonstrated application in developing a digital intervention for cold/flu transmission and analyzing data from a self-management intervention.

Main Results:

• The framework facilitated efficient data capture and informed systematic, in-depth usage analysis.
• Application demonstrated the framework's utility in understanding intervention engagement.
• The framework supports transparent and replicable findings for digital intervention evaluations.

Conclusions:

• The Analyzing and Measuring Usage and Engagement Data (AMUsED) framework provides a structured approach for detailed usage analysis.
• This systematic approach enhances understanding of intervention effectiveness and user engagement.
• The framework promotes standardized reporting and reproducible research in digital health.