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- Åkerberg, Anna, 1974-
(författare)
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An interactive health technology solution for encouraging physical activity : a first model based on a user perspective
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Globally, the level of physical inactivity is increasing. The overall aim of this thesis was to develop and test a first model of an interactive health technology solution (called App&Move) that should encourage physically inactive adults to be more physically active. App&Move was iteratively developed based on the user perspective, a so-called user-centered design. First, available technology was assessed; the validity and reliability of one smartphone pedometer application and one commonly used traditional pedometer were investigated. It was found that none of the investigated pedometers could measure correctly in all investigated situations. However, measurements by a smartphone appli-cation was identified to have high potential when aimed at monitoring physical activity in everyday situations. As the next step, a questionnaire was developed and distributed in central Sweden. The 107 respondents who answered the questionnaire were divided and analyzed in groups of users and non-users of physical activity self-monitoring technology. The results showed that users and non-users of such technology mainly had similar opinions about desirable functions of the technology. To gain further knowledge concerning how to design App&Move, the target group physically inactive non-users participated in focus group interviews. Important results were that the technology should focus on encouragement rather than measurements and that it preferably should be integrated into already existing technology, if possible already owned and worn by the person. A brainstorming workshop confirmed that the smartphone was a suitable platform, and a decision to develop a smartphone application was taken. A first draft of App&Move was developed, focusing on encouragement and measuring everyday activity and exercise in minutes per day. App&Move was based on available physical activity recommendations and strategies for successful behavior change. App&Move was positively received in a user workshop and thereafter iteratively refined and developed based on further user input. App&Move was usability tested in 23 physically inactive adults who used App&Move for four weeks and answered two questionnaires. Three usability aspects, effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction, were assessed as follows: acceptable, high and medium, and slight increases in activity minutes were observed during the test period. To conclude, this thesis has investigated the user perspective of physical activity self-monitoring technology with a target group of physically inactive adults. Based on these findings, a behavior change application for smartphone, App&Move, was presented. The usability test indicated promising results with respect to usability and indicated an ability to encourage the users to physical activity to some extent.
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| 2. |
- Johnsson, Isabel, et al.
(författare)
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Understanding and interpreting the concept of physical activity - a focus group study among Swedish women
- 2009
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1403-4948 .- 1651-1905. ; 37:1, s. 20-27
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: Strong epidemiological evidence indicates that physical activity is highly beneficial for health. To follow physical activity trends and correctly target interventions, feasible, reliable and valid assessment methods are needed. This paper examines Swedish women's understanding and interpretations of the concepts of physical activity and exercise, as well as different intensity modifiers used in the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Methods: Four focus group discussions were conducted with 27 women in total aged 35 to 69 (median 52). Responses and accompanying discussion were analysed according to the principles for qualitative content analysis including both manifest and latent content in the text. Findings: Understanding of physical activity and exercise depends on differences in people's experiences. The women felt physical activity and exercise were different concepts, but ultimately agreed that physical activity and exercise were terms along a continuum of movement experiences, from informal to formal settings. The interpretations of the intensity modifiers "moderate'' and "vigorous'' were close to the formal definitions in IPAQ. However the Swedish terms "mattligt anstrangande'' (moderate intensity) and ''mycket anstrangande'' (vigorous intensity) are the best possible terms and should be used in IPAQ. Conclusions: There are different interpretations of the meaning of the key concepts in IPAQ that must be considered. The use of a qualitative approach when developing physical activity questionnaires can lead to more feasible, reliable and valid assessment methods as well as a clearer message for health-enhancing physical activity recommendations.
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| 4. |
- Rossen, Jenny, et al.
(författare)
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'This is why I'm doing a lot of exercise' : A qualitative study of participant's experiences of the Sophia Step Study
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Diabetes Nursing. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2057-3316 .- 2057-3324.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Support for physical activity (PA) is central in diabetes care. The Sophia Step Study is a three-armed randomised controlled trial aiming to evaluate different levels of support for increased PA in prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. With the purpose to reveal the programme components and the mediating factors from the participants’ perspective this paper aims to report a qualitative exploration of adhering participants’ experiences after two years’ study participation.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants (men, n = 11, women, n = 7, prediabetes, n = 5, Type 2 diabetes, n = 13, median age 68.5 years) who completed a two-year multi-component (n = 7), singlecomponent (n = 6) intervention or served as controls (n = 5) at a primary care center in Stockholm, Sweden. The interviews were analysed using content analysis with an inductive approach. Sophia Step Study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with Identifier: NCT02374788.Results: The participants recalled the frequent study assessments as providing feedback of health outcomes; positive reinforcement; a sense of sentinel and a personalised approach. Group meetings, pedometers and health check-ups were valued as resources for increased awareness and motivation of PA; establishment of new routines and control over the own health. The long program duration allowed for maintenance of awareness and routines for PAConclusion: Adhering participants in theory-based interventions, but also in the control group, identified key mediators to support for PA. Feedback of results, personalised encouragement, emotional support and selfmonitoring should be regarded in self-management of PA to optimise patient motivation and outcomes.
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