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Cited by 7Mobile Health and mHealth ApplicationsPhysical Activity and HealthDigital Mental Health Interventions

Are free workplace health promotion apps adequately mapped with behavior change theories, techniques and desired features? A content analysis

Chandrasekaran, Baskaran, Kundapur, Poornima P, Rao, Chythra R·2021·Translational Behavioral Medicine
DOI 10.1093/tbm/ibab042
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Abstract

Free smartphone applications that aim to promote physical activity or reduce sedentary behavior at workplaces were questioned for its content such as technical features, behavior change techniques (BCT) and security concerns. To evaluate systematically whether smartphone apps are mapped adequately with BCTs and security concerns. Free apps in Google Play store were searched and coded for BCTs systematically in July 2020. Two reviewers independently coded apps that aimed to promote physical activity (n = 18) and reduce sedentary behavior (n = 16) using a taxonomy of 26 BCTs. BCTs, features and security concerns among apps promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior were analyzed. While the features (social support, gamification, or rewards) help increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behavior, the apps do not typically include the above features. Further, the apps were based on an average of 13 (4-21) BCTs. The BCTs coded most frequently were "self-monitoring" (100%), "general encouragement" (97%), and "goal setting" (n = 94%). No significant relation between user rating and BCTs was found in the apps. Majority of the free apps that aimed to increase physical activity or reduce sedentary behavior at workplaces were not adequately based on BCTs and lacked essential features facilitating long term behavior compliance at workplaces. Hence, there is a need to develop newer applications mapped adequately with BCTs, involving the collaborative work of behavioral scientists, app developers and policymakers. Clinical Trial Registry of India CTRI/2020/03/024138.

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  • Chandrasekaran et al. found that only a few BCTs were applied in free WHP apps for physical activity and sedentary behaviour and that most apps were not using BCTs to develop effective WHP apps; social support and gamification elements were lacking.

    “a 2021 review by Chandrasekaran et al., which mapped free WHP apps for physical activity and sedentary behaviour to behavioural change techniques (BCTs), found that only a few BCTs were applied and that most apps were not using BCTs to develop effective WHP apps. In particular, social support and gamification elements were lacking in apps [13].”

    From Advantages and disadvantages of mobile applications for workplace health promotion: A scoping review (2024) · cites this paper as [13]

  • Another study found infrequent use of BCTs and that most apps have elicited safety and security concerns.

    “Another study also found infrequent use of BCTs and further demonstrated that most apps have elicited safety and security concerns [13].”

    From Advantages and disadvantages of mobile applications for workplace health promotion: A scoping review (2024) · cites this paper as [13]

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Authors
Chandrasekaran, B., Kundapur, P. P., & Rao, C. R.
Affiliations
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (IN)
Corresponding author
Rao, Chythra R
ORCID
Venue
Translational Behavioral Medicine
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2021-05-17
Volume
11
Issue
8
Pages
1507-1516
ISSN
  • 1613-9860 (ISSN-L)
  • 1869-6716
DOI
10.1093/tbm/ibab042
OpenAlex
W3161451320
Cited by
7
References
33
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2022: 1
FWCI
1.13
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model (vor)
Locations
  • Translational Behavioral Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
Keywords
workplace health promotion, mobile application, behaviour change techniques, physical activity, sedentary behavior, self-monitoring, gamification, social support, free apps, Google Play Store
MeSH terms
Behavior Therapy, Health Promotion, Humans, Health Behavior, Exercise, Workplace, Mobile Applications

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