Using a Telegram chatbot as cost-effective software infrastructure for ambulatory assessment studies with iOS and...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Mobile Health (mHealth)
• Psychological Assessment

Background:

• Traditional ambulatory assessment (AA) methods can be costly and complex to implement.
• There is a need for accessible and scalable tools for real-world data collection.
• Smartphone penetration and messaging app usage offer opportunities for novel research methodologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an innovative, cost-effective, and reliable method for conducting ambulatory assessment (AA) studies using smartphones.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of using Telegram Messenger as a platform for delivering surveys in AA studies.
• To provide a flexible and user-friendly Python script for managing AA study parameters.

Main Methods:

• Development of a Telegram chatbot to send survey notifications to participants.
• Integration with common mobile survey software for data collection, ensuring data security.
• Creation of a Python script for customizable chatbot settings (e.g., survey frequency).
• Testing the approach on both Android and iOS devices.

Main Results:

• The developed approach is cost-effective and reliable for AA studies on smartphones.
• Pilot study data confirm the feasibility of the method and participant acceptance.
• The system supports both Android and iOS users, ensuring broad accessibility.
• Data collection is secured through external survey software, not Telegram.

Conclusions:

• This Telegram-based AA method offers a scalable and affordable solution for researchers.
• The approach facilitates real-world data collection, enhancing ecological validity.
• The freely available Python script promotes wider adoption and customization of this mHealth tool.