Making it transparent: A worked example of articulating programme theory for a digital health application using...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Behavior Change Interventions
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Digital health interventions are complex and require clear articulation of programme theory.
• Detailed descriptions of intervention components and mechanisms of action are often lacking.
• This study addresses the need for a structured approach to defining programme theory in digital health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a conceptual case study with an applied example of articulating programme theory.
• To detail the programme theory for a new digital health intervention supporting cardiac rehabilitation patients.
• To illustrate the application of Intervention Mapping methodology.

Main Methods:

• Intervention Mapping methodology was employed.
• A Predisposing, Reinforcing, and Enabling Constructs in Educational Diagnosis and Evaluation (PRECEDE) logic model was used.
• A logic model of change and an acyclic behaviour change diagram were developed.

Main Results:

• The programme theory included 4 sub-behaviours, 8 personal determinants, and 12 change objectives for habitual heart-healthy physical activity.
• These were linked to 12 distinct digital health intervention features.
• 12 underlying behaviour change methods were identified and mapped.

Conclusions:

• This case study offers a practical example of articulating programme theory for digital health interventions.
• The Intervention Mapping method provides a replicable approach for intervention developers.
• Researchers can use this example to inform their own behaviour change intervention designs.