Perski Olga, Baretta Dario, Blandford Ann, West Robert, Michie Susan
Department of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, University College London, UK.
UCL Institute of Digital Health, University College London, UK.
Digit Health. 2018 Jul 16;4:2055207618785841. doi: 10.1177/2055207618785841. eCollection 2018 Jan-Dec.
Engagement with smartphone applications (apps) for alcohol reduction is necessary for their effectiveness. This study explored (1) the features that are ranked as most important for engagement by excessive drinkers and (2) why particular features are judged to be more important for engagement than others.
Two studies were conducted in parallel. The first was a focus group study with adult excessive drinkers, interested in reducing alcohol consumption using an app ( = 3). Participants individually ranked their top 10 features from a pre-specified list and subsequently discussed their rankings. The second was an online study with a new sample ( = 132). Rankings were analysed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to assess the level of agreement between raters for each study. Qualitative data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.
There was low agreement between participants in their rankings, both in the focus groups (ICC = 0.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.03-0.38) and the online sample (ICC = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.06-0.23). 'Personalisation', 'control features' and 'interactive features' were most highly ranked in the focus groups. These were expected to elicit a sense of benefit and usefulness, adaptability, provide motivational support or spark users' interest. Results from the online study partly corroborated these findings.
There was little agreement between participants, but on average, the features judged to be most important for inclusion in smartphone apps for alcohol reduction were personalisation, interactive features and control features. Tailoring on users' underlying psychological needs may promote engagement with alcohol reduction apps.
要使智能手机应用程序（应用）在减少饮酒方面发挥作用，让用户参与其中至关重要。本研究探讨了：（1）酗酒者认为对参与度最为重要的功能；（2）为何某些特定功能被认为比其他功能对参与度更为重要。
同时开展了两项研究。第一项是针对有兴趣通过应用减少饮酒量的成年酗酒者的焦点小组研究（n = 3）。参与者从预先指定的列表中分别选出他们认为最重要的前10项功能，随后讨论他们的排名。第二项是针对新样本（n = 132）的在线研究。使用组内相关系数（ICC）分析排名，以评估每项研究中评分者之间的一致程度。定性数据采用归纳主题分析法进行分析。
无论是在焦点小组（ICC = 0.15，95%置信区间（CI）= 0.03 - 0.38）还是在线样本（ICC = 0.11，95% CI = 0.06 - 0.23）中，参与者之间的排名一致性都很低。在焦点小组中，“个性化”“控制功能”和“交互功能”的排名最高。这些功能有望带来益处感和实用性、适应性，提供动机支持或激发用户兴趣。在线研究的结果部分证实了这些发现。
参与者之间的意见分歧不大，但总体而言，被认为对减少饮酒的智能手机应用最为重要的功能是个性化、交互功能和控制功能。根据用户的潜在心理需求进行定制可能会提高对减少饮酒应用的参与度。
