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Title: | Promoting physical activity and a healthy active lifestyle in community-dwelling older adults: a design thinking approach for the development of a mobile health application | Authors: | DANIELS, Kim LEMMENS, Ryanne KNIPPENBERG, Els MARINUS, Nastasia VONCK, Sharona Baerts, Jan BERGS, Jochen SPOOREN, Annemie HANSEN, Dominique BONNECHERE, Bruno |
Issue Date: | 2023 | Publisher: | FRONTIERS MEDIA SA | Source: | Frontiers in Public Health, 11 (Art N° 1280941) | Abstract: | BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) has wide-ranging, and well documented benefits for older adults, encompassing physical, cognitive, and mental well-being. The World Health Organization advocates for a minimum of 150-300 min of moderate intensity PA per week, supplemented by muscle-strengthening exercises. However, the rates of PA among older adults remain a concern. While portable technologies hold promises in promoting PA, sustaining long-term engagement continues to be a challenge.ObjectiveThe aims of this study are to identify barriers and facilitators to PA in older adults, to develop an mHealth app promoting PA and an active healthy lifestyle in collaboration with community-dwelling older adults guided by the design thinking process, and to test it.MethodsA co-creative process was used, employing design thinking. Interviews were conducted to understand the needs of the target population and identify the problem of insufficient PA. Two cocreation sessions involving older adults and experts were conducted to generate innovative ideas. Participants were selected based on age (>= 65 years), no severe illness, Dutch language proficiency, and active participation ability. Results were qualitatively analyzed and coded. Finally a prototype was developed and tested.ResultsInterviews with older adults highlighted diverse perceptions of PA but unanimous agreement on its importance. They recognized health benefits such as improved mobility, balance, and reduced fall risk, while emphasizing the social and mental aspects. Barriers included poor health, time constraints, weather conditions and fear of falling. Cocreation sessions identified key topics: perception of a healthy lifestyle, coping strategies, mHealth App features, screen visualization, and tailored notifications, which led to the development of a mobile app promoting PA and an active lifestyle. The app was stepwise prototyped.ConclusionThis study emphasizes the importance of promoting PA among older adults through a collaborative design thinking approach. However, the implementation of mHealth apps faces obstacles due to the digital divide, necessitating personalized solutions to bridge the gap. Moreover, it calls for further research to investigate the long-term impact of such interventions and explore behavior change patterns in this population. | Notes: | Daniels, K (corresponding author), PXL Univ Appl Sci & Arts, Dept PXL Healthcare, Hasselt, Belgium.; Daniels, K (corresponding author), Hasselt Univ, Fac Rehabil Sci, REVAL Rehabil Res Ctr, Diepenbeek, Belgium. kim.daniels@pxl.be |
Keywords: | design thinking method;digital technology;physical activity;older adults;mobile application;mHealth;motivation;participatory design | Document URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1942/42047 | e-ISSN: | 2296-2565 | DOI: | 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1280941 | ISI #: | 001122589500001 | Rights: | 2023 Daniels, Lemmens, Knippenberg, Marinus, Vonck, Baerts, Bergs, Spooren, Hansen and Bonnechère. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. | Category: | A1 | Type: | Journal Contribution |
Appears in Collections: | Research publications |
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