[Adherence to digital health interventions: definitions, methods, and open questions]

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Behavioral Science
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Digital interventions require user engagement for positive outcomes.
• User discontinuation limits the effectiveness of many digital health tools.
• Adherence to digital interventions is a key factor influencing their impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the concept of adherence in digital interventions.
• To differentiate adherence from related constructs.
• To explore methods for measuring adherence and factors influencing it.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of existing literature.
• Conceptual analysis of adherence.
• Identification of predictors and operationalization strategies.

Main Results:

• Adherence is defined as the extent of user engagement with a digital intervention as designed.
• Existing literature often lacks theoretical depth and practical guidance on adherence.
• Predictors of adherence and methods for its measurement require further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing user adherence is critical for maximizing the effectiveness of digital interventions.
• Further research is needed to refine adherence concepts and develop practical strategies.
• Addressing adherence proactively can improve digital health outcomes.