Accepted for/Published in: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Date Submitted: Sep 12, 2018
Date Accepted: Jan 30, 2019
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Efficacy of a mobile social networking intervention in promoting physical activity: Quasi-experimental study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Technological interventions such as mobile applications (apps), online social networks and wearable trackers have the potential to influence physical activity; yet, few studies have examined the efficacy of an intervention bundle combining these different technologies.
Objective:
To pilot test an intervention composed of a social networking mobile app, connected with a wearable tracker and investigate its efficacy in improving physical activity, as well as explore participant engagement, and the usability of the app.
Methods:
Pre-post quasi-experimental study with one arm, where participants were subjected to the intervention for a six-month period. The primary outcome measure was the difference in daily step count between baseline and six months. Secondary outcome measures included engagement with the intervention and system usability. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were conducted; post-hoc subgroup analyses were carried out for participants with different levels of: steps at baseline, app usage and social features usage.
Results:
Fifty-five participants were enrolled in the study; the mean age was 23.6 years and 28 (50.9%) were female. There was a non-statistically significant increase in average daily step count between baseline and 6 months (mean change = 14.5 steps/day, P = 0.98, 95% confidence interval [-1136.5, 1107.5]). Subgroup analysis comparing the higher and lower physical activity groups at baseline showed that the latter had a statistically significantly higher increase in their daily step count (group difference in mean change from baseline to 6 months = 3025 steps per day, P = 0.008, 95% confidence interval [837.9, 5211.8]). At six months, the retention rate was 81.8% (45/55); app usage decreased over time. The mean System Usability Score was 60.1 (SD 19.2).
Conclusions:
Our study showed the efficacy of a mobile social networking intervention, integrated with a wearable tracker to promote physical activity, particularly for less physically active subgroups of the population. Future research should explore how to address challenges faced by physically inactive people to provide tailored advices. Additionally, users’ perspectives should be explored to shed light on factors that might influence their engagement with the intervention.
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