Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Jan 9, 2020
Date Accepted: Aug 31, 2020
'Give me a healthy tip’ Development and feasibility of a family-based intervention using intelligent personal assistants:a randomised controlled trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Intelligent personal assistants such as Amazon Echo and Google Home have become increasingly integrated into the home setting and therefore, may facilitate behaviour change via novel interactions or as an adjunct to conventional interventions. However, little is currently known about their potential role in this context.
Objective:
The aim of this feasibility study was to develop the Intelligent Personal Assistant Project (IPAP) and assess the acceptability and feasibility of this technology for promoting and maintaining physical activity and other health-related behaviours in both parents and children.
Methods:
This pilot feasibility study was undertaken in 2 phases. For Phase 1, families who were attending a community-based weight management project were invited to take part, while Phase 2 recruited families not currently receiving any additional intervention. Families were randomly allocated to either intervention (received a smart speaker for use in the family home) or control. The IPAP intervention aimed to promote positive health behaviours in the family setting, through utilisation of the functions of a smart speaker and its linked intelligent personal assistant. Data were collected on recruitment, retention, outcome measures, intervention acceptability, device interactions and usage.
Results:
26 families, with at least one child aged 5-12 years, were recruited, with 23 families retained at follow up. Across Phase 1 of the intervention, families interacted with the intelligent personal assistant a total of 65 times. Although device interactions across Phase 2 of the intervention was much higher (312 times), only 11% of interactions were coded as relevant (related to diet/physical activity/wellbeing). Focus groups highlighted families found the devices acceptable and easy to use and felt the prompts/reminders were useful in prompting healthier behaviours. Some further intervention refinement in relation to the timing of prompts and integrating feedback alongside the devices were suggested by families.
Conclusions:
Using intelligent personal assistants to deliver health-related messages and information within the home is feasible, with high levels of engagement reported by participating families. This novel feasibility study highlights important methodological considerations which should inform future trials testing the effectiveness of intelligent personal assistants at promoting positive health-related behaviours. Clinical Trial: This study was registered and given an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number (ISRCTN16792534) Registered 10 April 2019 http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN16792534
Citation
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Copyright
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