de Oliveira Renata Savian Colvero, Nabwire Sharon, Merikallio Heta, Savolainen Markku, Hukkanen Janne, Oinas-Kukkonen Harri
Oulu Advanced Research on Service and Information Systems, University of Oulu, Linnanmaa campus, Pentti Kaiteran katu 1 90570 Oulu, Finland.
Research Unit of Biomedicine and Internal Medicine, University of Oulu, Kontinkangas campus, Aapistie 5 90220 Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Kontinkangas campus, Aapistie 5 90220 Oulu, Finland.
Int J Med Inform. 2025 Apr;196:105795. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2025.105795. Epub 2025 Jan 21.
Studies have demonstrated that interventions targeting weight loss and body mass index (BMI) reduction can be successful, although the specific factors that influence their effectiveness are still unclear. Behavior change support systems (BCSS) are an approach that aims to help users in their efforts to modify their behavior. A useful tool for assessing BCSS is the Persuasive Systems Design model (PSD), where different features and postulates can be employed. However, it is unknown whether the grouping of software features and design principles, along with behavioral traits, provide a better combination to achieve effective BMI reduction.
This study investigates the impact of PSD features, postulates behind the design, and behavioral traits on BMI reduction after six months of utilizing a mobile health behavior change support system (mHBCSS).
We examined a subset of 96 individuals from a randomized controlled trial using a mHBCSS for a period of six months. Data was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).
We found that 15.3 % in the variance of BMI reduction was explained by the ability of setting goals. Furthermore, users who perceive a system as highly persuasive are more likely to establish goals (R = 0.207). Among PSD features, Dialogue Support and Primary Task Support explained 54.9 % of the variance in Perceived Persuasiveness. In addition, both Dialogue Support and Credibility Support have a mutual effect on Primary Task Support (R = 0.685). Finally, the system's unobtrusiveness explained 41.1 % of the variance in Dialogue Support.
PSD framework and behavior change theories provide significant influence on BMI reduction. Setting a clear and organized objective assists individuals in successfully pursuing their intended results. The findings of this study can help developers and health professionals decide which PSD features and postulates to include to make mHBCSS interventions targeting BMI reduction more effective.
研究表明，以减肥和降低体重指数（BMI）为目标的干预措施可能会取得成功，尽管影响其效果的具体因素仍不明确。行为改变支持系统（BCSS）是一种旨在帮助用户努力改变其行为的方法。评估BCSS的一个有用工具是说服系统设计模型（PSD），可以采用不同的特征和假设。然而，软件功能和设计原则的分组以及行为特征是否能提供更好的组合以实现有效的BMI降低尚不清楚。
本研究调查了说服系统设计（PSD）特征、设计背后的假设以及行为特征对使用移动健康行为改变支持系统（mHBCSS）六个月后BMI降低的影响。
我们从一项使用mHBCSS进行为期六个月的随机对照试验中选取了96名个体作为子集进行研究。使用偏最小二乘结构方程模型（PLS-SEM）对数据进行分析。
我们发现，设定目标的能力解释了BMI降低方差的15.3%。此外，认为系统具有高度说服力的用户更有可能设定目标（R = 0.207）。在PSD特征中，对话支持和主要任务支持解释了感知说服力方差的54.9%。此外，对话支持和可信度支持对主要任务支持都有相互影响（R = 0.685）。最后，系统的不干扰性解释了对话支持方差的41.1%。
PSD框架和行为改变理论对BMI降低有显著影响。设定明确且有条理的目标有助于个体成功实现预期结果。本研究结果可帮助开发者和健康专业人员决定纳入哪些PSD特征和假设，以使针对降低BMI的mHBCSS干预措施更有效。
