Background: Obesity is a global epidemic. Behavioral change approaches towards improving nutrition, increasing physical activity level, improving sleep, and reducing sitting time are recommended as best practices in adolescent obesity management. However, access to evidence-based treatment is limited and portable technologies such as mobile apps may provide a useful platform to deliver such lifestyle interventions. No evidence-based validated app exists for obesity intervention; therefore, a novel mobile app (Reactivate) was developed for use in the Temple Street W82GO Healthy Lifestyles Program (W82GO).
Objective: This study aimed to test the usability (technical effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction) of the Reactivate mobile app in obese adolescents.
Methods: Ten adolescents (7 males and 3 females, aged 12-17 years) who had been treated for obesity (>98th percentile for body mass index) at the Temple Street Children's University Hospital were recruited. Participants were given 8 tasks to complete in order to test the technical effectiveness of the app. A research assistant timed the user while completing each task in order to test the relative user efficiency of the app (time-on-task). The tasks fell into 5 categories and required the user to enter personal settings, find and answer surveys, create a message, use the goal setting feature, and enter details regarding their weight and height. In exploration of user satisfaction, each participant completed the standardized software usability measurement inventory (SUMI), which measures 5 aspects of user satisfaction: efficiency, effect, helpfulness, controllability, and learnability. Descriptive statistics were used to explore the mean relative user efficiency and SUMI scores.
Results: Mean age was 14.26 (SD 1.58) years. All adolescents completed each of the tasks successfully. The mean relative user efficiency scores were two to three times that of an expert user. Users responded that they would use Reactivate to monitor their growth over time, for motivation, and for goal setting. All users described Reactivate as an important mobile app.
Conclusions: Our study describes the usability of a mobile app used in adolescent obesity management. Adolescents found Reactivate easy to use and their SUMI results indicated that the app scored high on user satisfaction. Usability testing is an important step towards refining the development of the Reactivate app, which can be used in the treatment of obesity. The study on the clinical efficacy of the Reactivate app is currently underway.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4114470 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.3262 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Scan and share to register outpatients, India.
Bull World Health Organ
February 2025
International Institute of Health Management Research, Phase 2, Plot No 3, Sector 18A, Dwarka, New Delhi, 10075, India.
Problem: To address the long waiting times patients incur when visiting outpatient departments in India.
Approach: In 2022, the National Health Authority in India developed a paperless service, called Scan and Share, leveraging mobile technology and QR (quick-response) codes to streamline outpatient department appointments. Patients can use a mobile application (app) to scan QR codes at health facilities, generating tokens linked to registration counters.
Implementation of digital HIV services in Guangzhou's primary health-care system, China.
Bull World Health Organ
February 2025
School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, 74 Zhongshan No. 2 Rd, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou510080, Guangdong, China.
Objective: To describe changes in access to voluntary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) counselling and testing services following the implementation of a mini-application (app) at primary health-care facilities across Guangzhou, China.
Methods: In 2018, the Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Lingnan Community Support Center co-developed WellTest, a mini-app within the WeChat environment, to address voluntary counselling and testing service needs. The mini-app provides on-demand information for clients, links them to health services, and allows users to provide feedback on health-care quality and share test results with partners.
Digital technologies as solutions to China's aging population: a systematic review of their opportunities and challenges in rural development.
Front Public Health
January 2025
Department of Product Design, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, College of Chinese & ASEAN Arts, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China.
Introduction: Differences exist in the rate of aging between individuals residing in urban and rural areas in China, with rural areas experiencing a more pronounced impact. Smart aging represents a prevalent future trend in this regard, though its development will inevitably face challenges. However, studies focusing on rural areas are scarce.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Effects of Self-Monitoring Using a Smartwatch and Smartphone App on Stress Awareness, Self-Efficacy, and Well-Being-Related Outcomes in Police Officers: Longitudinal Mixed Design Study.
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth
January 2025
Department of Learning and Workforce Development, The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, Soesterberg, Netherlands.
Background: Wearable sensor technologies, often referred to as "wearables," have seen a rapid rise in consumer interest in recent years. Initially often seen as "activity trackers," wearables have gradually expanded to also estimate sleep, stress, and physiological recovery. In occupational settings, there is a growing interest in applying this technology to promote health and well-being, especially in professions with highly demanding working conditions such as first responders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUsing augmented reality to deliver cue exposure treatment for smoking cessation: App usability findings and protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
Contemp Clin Trials
January 2025
Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. Electronic address:
Background: Augmented Reality (AR) is a rapidly developing technology with potential utility for treating addictive behaviors, including tobacco smoking. AR inserts digital images into a natural real-time scene as viewed on a smartphone or other video devices. With respect to smoking cessation, AR can place virtual smoking cues (i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!