The Role of Gamification in Health Behavior Change: A Review of Theory-driven Studies

Gamification is increasingly being recognized as a tool to support a change in individuals’ health behaviors. However, how and under which circumstances gamification is able to support health behavior change is still largely unexplored. This study follows the call for more theory-driven research on gamification by investigating the role of gamification in health behavior change theories (HBCTs). In order to do so, we conducted a systematic review of extant literature and identified 25 studies that explore the role of gamification in the process of health behavior change to some extent. We found large discrepancies in how the authors of these studies conceptualized the role of gamification in their theory-driven health interventions. To further strengthen theory-driven research on gamification in health and well-being, we additionally propose concrete research questions. These may guide future researchers to identify valuable avenues for further explaining and predicting the influences of gamification on health behavior change

Wearing the Future-Wearables to Empower Users to Take Greater Responsibility for Their Health and Care:Scoping Review

BACKGROUND: Wearables refer to devices that are worn by individuals. In the health care field, wearables may assist with individual monitoring and diagnosis. In fact, the potential for wearable technology to assist with health care has received recognition from health systems around the world, including a place in the strategic Long Term Plan shared by the National Health Service in England. However, wearables are not limited to specialist medical devices used by patients. Leading technology companies, including Apple, have been exploring the capabilities of wearable health technology for health-conscious consumers. Despite advancements in wearable health technology, research is yet to be conducted on wearables and empowerment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify, summarize, and synthesize knowledge on how wearable health technology can empower individuals to take greater responsibility for their health and care. METHODS: This study was a scoping review with thematic analysis and narrative synthesis. Relevant guidance, such as the Arksey and O’Malley framework, was followed. In addition to searching gray literature, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, HMIC, and Cochrane Library. Studies were included based on the following selection criteria: publication in English, publication in Europe or the United States, focus on wearables, relevance to the research, and the availability of the full text. RESULTS: After identifying 1585 unique records and excluding papers based on the selection criteria, 20 studies were included in the review. On analysis of these 20 studies, 3 main themes emerged: the potential barriers to using wearables, the role of providers and the benefits to providers from promoting the use of wearables, and how wearables can drive behavior change. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable literature findings suggest that wearables can empower individuals by assisting with diagnosis, behavior change, and self-monitoring. However, greater adoption of wearables and engagement with wearable devices depend on various factors, including promotion and support from providers to encourage uptake; increased short-term investment to upskill staff, especially in the area of data analysis; and overcoming the barriers to use, particularly by improving device accuracy. Acting on these suggestions will require investment and constructive input from key stakeholders, namely users, health care professionals, and designers of the technology. As advancements in technology to make wearables viable health care devices have only come about recently, further studies will be important for measuring the effectiveness of wearables in empowering individuals. The investigation of user outcomes through large-scale studies would also be beneficial. Nevertheless, a significant challenge will be in the publication of research to keep pace with rapid developments related to wearable health technology

UTILIZING GAMIFICATION CONCEPT IN DIGITAL MARKETING: AN OVERVIEW OF RECENT RESEARCH EFFORTS

The gamification usually refers to the utilization of game design principles and game mechanisms in non-game contexts in order to drive a specific desired behavior. This concept has relatively recently sparked both academic and professional interest. In the last ten-odd years, gamification principles has been used successfully in many fields and lines of work: education and e-learning, human-computer interaction, information studies, health, psychology, consumer behavior, tourism and many others. In a broader sense of the concept, gamified ideas have been in use for decades despite the fact that the terminology is of a more recent date. In theory, primary gamification goals align with the goals of fundamental marketing philosophy. Its utilization has also become popular in the internet information space and platforms related to digital marketing for various goals, especially for increasing user engagement. The aim of this paper is to explore conducted research and studies of gamification concept applied in the wider context of digital marketing. The research overview illustrates the main areas of gamification utilization and its use efficiency in various settings and scenarios. In addition, the paper aims to provide a foundation for comprehensive future research activities. The implications of these findings are valuable as the explored gamification mechanisms have virtually limitless fields of application but are still unjustifiably and insufficiently researched

UTILIZING GAMIFICATION CONCEPT IN DIGITAL MARKETING: AN OVERVIEW OF RECENT RESEARCH EFFORTS

The gamification usually refers to the utilization of game design principles and game mechanisms in non-game contexts in order to drive a specific desired behavior. This concept has relatively recently sparked both academic and professional interest. In the last ten-odd years, gamification principles has been used successfully in many fields and lines of work: education and e-learning, human-computer interaction, information studies, health, psychology, consumer behavior, tourism and many others. In a broader sense of the concept, gamified ideas have been in use for decades despite the fact that the terminology is of a more recent date. In theory, primary gamification goals align with the goals of fundamental marketing philosophy. Its utilization has also become popular in the internet information space and platforms related to digital marketing for various goals, especially for increasing user engagement. The aim of this paper is to explore conducted research and studies of gamification concept applied in the wider context of digital marketing. The research overview illustrates the main areas of gamification utilization and its use efficiency in various settings and scenarios. In addition, the paper aims to provide a foundation for comprehensive future research activities. The implications of these findings are valuable as the explored gamification mechanisms have virtually limitless fields of application but are still unjustifiably and insufficiently researched

Designing an Artifact to Support Incentives for Medication Adherence

This research is motivated by the current trend towards utilization of mobile technology in healthcare interventions. Despite academic and practitioner efforts, lack of medication adherence continues to be a leading indicator of poor health outcomes and increased hospitalizations worldwide. There are several possible incentive systems that remain relatively unexplored in the field of medication adherence. Our analysis of the current academic research and existing medication adherence applications indicates a research gap and an opportunity to create a significant contribution through the design of an application (app) addressing the complex problem of medication adherence. Therefore, we propose the design of an app to positively influence patient behavior through incentives to improve medication adherence. The contribution of this research is a novel design utilizing multiple incentive types to improve medication adherence

mHealth intervention development to support patients with active tuberculosis

Background: Mobile Health (mHealth) based interventions have been increasingly used to improve a broad range of health outcomes. However, few researchers have reported on the process or the application of theory to guide the development of mHealth based interventions, or specifically for tuberculosis (TB) treatment management. Aims: To describe the steps, process, and considerations in developing a text messaging-based intervention to promote treatment adherence and provide support to patients with active TB. Methods: Traditional qualitative techniques, including semi-structured interviews, field notes, content analysis, iterative coding, and thematic analysis, were used to design and document the intervention development with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, administrators, and patients who were in active TB treatment. The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model was used to guide the coding scheme for content analysis of patient-directed TB educational material and intervention development. Results: The development steps included: a) establishing intervention components, including justifications, considerations, timing and frequency of components; b) developing educational messages, including cultural adaption, text or short message service (SMS) formatting, and prioritizing message delivery order; and c) determining implementation protocol. A set of 16 IMB-based messages were developed for the educational component. Final intervention development was achieved in 3 months. Conclusion: A collaborative approach and application of a theory to guide the intervention design and development is supported. Although a collaborative approach was more time consuming, it resulted in a more responsive, culturally appropriate, and comprehensive intervention. Considerations for developing a text messaging based intervention are provided and may serve as a guide for similar interventions. Further empirical evidence is needed for applying the IMB model for adherence-promotion in TB efforts

A framework for guiding the interdisciplinary design of mHealth intervention apps for physical activity behaviour change

The global pandemic of noncommunicable diseases and its associated premature mortality rates and socioeconomic burden have led to increasingly intensified efforts towards designing and delivering health promotion interventions aimed at addressing the leading modifiable health risk behaviours, such as physical inactivity. Developing physical activity behaviour change interventions that target individuals at the dual intra-interpersonal socioecological levels of health promotion has become a key objective worldwide. Digital and mobile technology is revolutionising the ways in which health behaviour change interventions are delivered to individuals across the world, with mobile health applications (mHealth apps) increasingly recognised as a powerful means of promoting physical activity behaviour change. However, with the growth and opportunities of mHealth apps, come several design challenges. Key design challenges concern the integration of theory, the incorporation of evidence-based behaviour change techniques, the application of persuasive systems design principles, and the importance of multi- and interdisciplinary collaborative design, development and evaluation approaches. These key challenges influence the output product design and effectiveness of mHealth physical activity behaviour change intervention apps. There exists a paucity of approaches for guiding and supporting the multi- and interdisciplinary collaborative design, development and evaluation of mHealth physical activity behaviour change intervention apps. To address this gap, this research study proposes an Interdisciplinary mHealth App Design Framework, framed by a novel boundary object view. This view considers the diverse communities of practice, boundary objects and supporting artefacts, process activities, and knowledge sharing practices necessary and relevant to the design of effective mHealth physical activity behaviour change intervention apps. The framework’s development is guided by a Design Science Research (DSR) approach. Its core components are based on the findings of a critical theoretical analysis of twenty existing multi- and interdisciplinary digital health development approaches. Once developed, the framework is evaluated using a qualitative DSR linguistic interpretivist approach, with semi-structured interviews as the research instrument. The thematic analysis findings from interviews with thirty-one international academic researchers and industry practitioners informs the iterative modification and revision of an enhanced Interdisciplinary mHealth App Design Framework, constituting the main DSR artefact contribution of the research study. In addition, four theoretical contributions are made to the mHealth intervention app design body of knowledge, and a practical contribution is made through the provision of guideline recommendations for academics and industry practitioners. Methodological contributions are also made in terms of applying DSR, adopting a hybrid cognitive reasoning strategy, and employing a qualitative linguistic interpretivist approach to evaluation within a DSR project.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Commerce, Information Systems, 202

Design and Evaluation of a Pervasive Coaching and Gamification Platform for Young Diabetes Patients

Self monitoring, personal goal-setting and coaching, education and social support are strategies to help patients with chronic conditions in their daily care. Various tools have been developed, e.g., mobile digital coaching systems connected with wearable sensors, serious games and patient web portals to personal health records, that aim to support patients with chronic conditions and their caregivers in realizing the ideal of self-management. We describe a platform that integrates these tools to support young patients in diabetes self-management through educational game playing, monitoring and motivational feedback. We describe the design of the platform referring to principles from healthcare, persuasive system design and serious game design. The virtual coach is a game guide that can also provide personalized feedback about the user’s daily care related activities which have value for making progress in the game world. User evaluations with patients under pediatric supervision revealed that the use of mobile technology in combination with web-based elements is feasible but some assumptions made about how users would connect to the platform were not satisfied in reality, resulting in less than optimal user experiences. We discuss challenges with suggestions for further development of integrated pervasive coaching and gamification platforms in medical practice