Progressing implementation of behavior change frameworks for digital health interventions: challenges and ways...

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Digital Health
• Intervention Design

Background:

• Novel behavior change theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) are emerging for digital interventions.
• Low reported usage of these new TMFs hinders progress in the field of digital behavior change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key barriers hindering the implementation of digital-focused TMFs.
• To provide actionable recommendations for overcoming these implementation barriers.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of seven novel TMFs against the established Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) framework.
• Adoption assessment based on citation counts and intervention development using the TMFs.

Main Results:

• Novel TMFs exhibit slower uptake compared to the BCW framework, even considering their recent development.
• Identified barriers include limited awareness, insufficient empirical evidence, and difficulties in operationalizing the models.
• Recommendations for TMF creators include enhancing adaptability, improving reporting, and developing/testing interventions to build an evidence base.

Conclusions:

• Digital-focused TMFs offer potential for improving digital behavior-change interventions.
• Enhanced accessibility, a stronger evidence base, and improved reporting are crucial for wider TMF adoption.
• Further comparative reviews and a framework selection repository could accelerate uptake.