JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (24HMG) for Adults provide specific recommendations for levels of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep (i.e., the movement behaviours) required for optimal health. Performance of the movement behaviours is associated with improved mental wellbeing. However, most post-secondary students do not meet the movement behaviour recommendations within the 24HMG and experience increased stress and declining wellbeing, suggesting the need for an intervention targeting students’ movement behaviours.

Objective:

We developed and implemented a theory-informed intervention aimed to improve the movement behaviours and mental wellbeing of first-year post-secondary students.

Methods:

The Intervention Mapping protocol was applied in the development and implementation of the intervention. Intervention mapping entailed performing a needs assessment, determining the intervention outcomes, selecting theory-and evidence-based change methods and applications, preparing and producing intervention plans and materials, developing the implementation plan, and finally, developing an evaluation plan. The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) were also utilized in conjunction with the Intervention Mapping protocol to ensure a solid theoretical basis for the intervention.

Results:

The applied Intervention Mapping protocol, with the use of the TDF and BCW, led to the development and implementation of a theory-informed six-week ParticipACTION app-based intervention aimed at helping first-year post-secondary students improve their movement behaviours and mental wellbeing. The developed app content provided students with information on each of the movement behaviours and on behavioural strategies (i.e., goal setting, action planning, monitoring, and coping planning). The use of Intervention Mapping allowed for the continuous involvement of various multidisciplinary stakeholders and end users, ensuring the intervention design and implementation was appropriate for the target audience. The feasibility, acceptability and potential impact of the intervention will be examined in a subsequent proof-of-concept study at the two Canadian university campuses.

Conclusions:

Intervention Mapping, with the use of the TDF and BCW, was an effective approach to combine evidence and theoretical concepts to guide the design and implementation of a ParticipACTION app-based intervention targeting post-secondary students’ movement behaviours and mental wellbeing. This process may serve as an example for other researchers developing multiple behaviour change app-based interventions. Should the forthcoming evaluation demonstrate the intervention’s acceptability, feasibility, and potential impact, the intervention may provide a scalable method of improving post-secondary students’ movement behaviours and mental wellbeing. Clinical Trial: N/A