Use and Mediating Effect of Interactive Design Features in Audiology Rehabilitation and Self-Management Internet-Based Interventions.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to explore the presence of key interactive design features across Internet-based audiology rehabilitation and self-management interventions, and whether there is evidence of them mediating effects of the intervention.

METHOD

Adult audiology interventions relevant to this review were identified through a literature search in Google Scholar and a hand search of key journals. Four key interactive design features that have been proposed to mediate the effects of Internet-based health interventions were reported for each intervention: social context and support, contacts with the intervention, tailoring, and self-management.

RESULTS

Five interventions were identified as representative examples of work in the field. Social context and support and contacts with the intervention were provided in most interventions, mainly through clinician guidance. Only 1 intervention utilized tailoring to personalize intervention content to individual users, but use was minimal. Self-management features were also used in all interventions but the precise nature of these features was poorly reported.

CONCLUSION

Future studies should assess the optimal dose and combinations of intervention features for maximizing efficacy in audiology intervention. To be specific, the role of tailoring should be explored, which has been identified as a potential mediator of intervention outcome in the wider e-health literature.