Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Aug 31, 2025
Date Accepted: Apr 30, 2026
Development of a mHealth Intervention for Reducing Sedentary Behavior in Older Adults: A Delphi Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Sedentary behavior among older adults is a major public health concern, contributing to the increased risk of chronic diseases and functional decline. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions offer a promising approach to address this issue. However, there remains a lack of evidence-based, systematically developed mHealth programs specifically targeting sedentary behavior in older populations.
Objective:
To develop a mobile health (mHealth) intervention program for reducing sedentary behavior in older adults using the Delphi consensus method.
Methods:
Guided by the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) framework, a preliminary mHealth intervention protocol was developed through comprehensive literature review, analysis of clinical guidelines, and research team discussions. The protocol was subsequently refined through two rounds of Delphi surveys involving 16 multidisciplinary experts in geriatric care, behavioral science, and health promotion.
Results:
Both Delphi rounds achieved 100% response rates, with high expert authority coefficients (Cr=0.900). The Kendall's coordination coefficients were 0.151 and 0.214 for the two rounds respectively (both P<0.01), demonstrating satisfactory consensus. The final intervention program comprised three core components addressing capability, opportunity, and motivation factors influencing sedentary behavior.
Conclusions:
The Delphi-derived mHealth intervention demonstrates strong scientific rigor and practical feasibility, providing an evidence-based approach for reducing sedentary behavior in aging populations through mobile health technologies.
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