Iterative four-phase development of a theory-based digital behaviour change intervention to reduce occupational...

Area of Science:

• Digital health interventions
• Occupational health
• Behaviour change science

Background:

• High occupational sitting is linked to adverse health outcomes, necessitating workplace interventions.
• Digital technology offers a scalable and cost-effective approach for delivering these interventions.
• This study details the development of a digital behaviour change intervention targeting occupational sedentary behaviour (SB).

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the iterative development of a theory-based digital intervention to reduce occupational SB.
• To create a user-informed mobile application for decreasing sedentary work behaviour.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Behaviour Change Wheel and Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy for intervention design.
• Employed a four-phase development process: preliminary research, consensus workshops, white boarding, and usability testing.
• Incorporated user feedback through 'think-aloud' interviews.

Main Results:

• Developed Worktivity, a smartphone application for reducing occupational SB.
• Core features include self-monitoring, feedback, goal setting, prompts, reminders, and educational content.
• Usability testing indicated positive user acceptance and favourable opinions of the app's features.

Conclusions:

• Worktivity is a novel, theory-based mobile app designed to reduce occupational SB using digital self-monitoring.
• This development provides a framework for creating and evaluating technology-supported behaviour change interventions.
• The app's user-centered design and theoretical underpinnings support its potential for public health impact.