Automated Technology Based Behavioural Intervention to Promote Exercise Adherence: A Pilot Study to Ascertain Efficacy

Abstract

Exercise has been shown to be an effective treatment for a range of physical and mental health problems. Development of automated exercise therapy options will result in greater accessibility of treatment for those who would be otherwise unable to access it. The purpose of this study was to design and evaluate an automated technology based behavioural intervention for the purpose of increasing the participant’s physical exercise adherence. The study was run as a non-concurrent multiple baseline across participants design over a 12 week period. Nine participants (2 male, 7 female) aged 18 to 34 (M = 23.11) took part in the study. They completed a baseline phase of three to six weeks during which exercise data were recorded. The intervention phase lasted seven to eight weeks, during which an intervention was delivered via email and online survey in an attempt to increase physical exercise, and promote long term exercise adherence. Effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated using measures of duration and intensity of exercise activity, and an 18 item Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale. For most participants there was a significant increase in exercise activity and exercise self-efficacy score as a result of the intervention. Component analysis of the intervention provided information as to which aspects were effective, and which may need to be modified for subsequent iterations. These results show that an automated technology based behavioural intervention can increase exercise behaviour in such a way that promotes long term adherence. Future studies could focus on using a smartphone app as the delivery method for similar interventions as this would allow for additional features to be added, and more effective delivery of the aspects of the intervention that have been shown to work.