Optimizing appreciation and persuasion of embodied conversational agents for health behavior change: A design experiment and focus group study.

Embodied Conversational Agents (ECAs) can increase user engagement and involvement and can strengthen the effect of an intervention on health outcomes that is provided via an ECA. However, evidence regarding the effectiveness of ECAs on health outcomes is still limited. In this article, we report on a study that has the goal to identify the effect of a match between a health topic and the ECAs' appearance on ratings of personality characteristics, persuasiveness and intention to use.

Use and Effect of Embodied Conversational Agents for Improving Eating Behavior and Decreasing Loneliness Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Embodied conversational agents (ECAs) have been proposed as a promising interaction modality for the delivery of programs focused on promoting lifestyle changes. However, it is not understood what factors influence the health effects of ECAs or their use.

Objective: We aimed to (1) identify whether ECAs could persuade community-dwelling older adults to change their dietary behavior and whether ECA use could decrease loneliness, (2) test the pathways to these effects, and (3) understand factors influencing the use of ECAs.

Supporting eating behaviour of community-dwelling older adults: co-design of an embodied conversational agent.

In order to support community-dwelling older adults with healthy eating behaviours, Embodied Conversational Agents (ECAs) may be an effective and engaging medium. However, ECAs have not yet been found to be capable of engendering behaviour change, which is partly attributed to the absence of a match with users' practices, needs and preferences. Hence, we describe a co-design process with older adults that informs both the content and the appearance of an ECA.

Use and Effect of Web-Based Embodied Conversational Agents for Improving Eating Behavior and Decreasing Loneliness Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: An unhealthy eating pattern and loneliness negatively influence quality of life in older age. Embodied conversational agents (ECAs) are a promising way to address these health behaviors in an engaging manner.

Objective: We aim to (1) identify whether ECAs can persuade community-dwelling older adults to change their dietary behavior and whether ECA use can decrease loneliness, (2) test these pathways to effects, and (3) understand the use of an ECA.

Developing Embodied Conversational Agents for Coaching People in a Healthy Lifestyle: Scoping Review.

Background: Embodied conversational agents (ECAs) are animated computer characters that simulate face-to-face counseling. Owing to their capacity to establish and maintain an empathic relationship, they are deemed to be a promising tool for starting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Objective: This review aimed to identify the current practices in designing and evaluating ECAs for coaching people in a healthy lifestyle and provide an overview of their efficacy (on behavioral, knowledge, and motivational parameters) and use (on usability, usage, and user satisfaction parameters).