Do Mobile Apps Help Change Behaviors?
An interesting study from Northwestern University suggests the answer is yes, at least when it comes to losing weight. One interesting thing about the study is its level of rigor – a randomized clinical trial. Another is that the App had the greatest impact when combined with an existing education-focused weight loss program:
“People who used the mobile phone technology and attended 80 percent of the health education sessions lost 15 pounds and maintained the loss for one year. The average weight loss for the mobile phone group — including those who did not attend the education sessions — was 8.6 pounds. The control group — which received the education sessions but no mobile app — did not lose weight.”
The success of the App stems from how it supports the cognition of self-regulation and learning from experience on a daily basis.
Focusing on small-step behavior changes and providing feedback on calories and activity it helped participants make better on-the-spot decisions about food and exercises. There was also a behavior coach in the loop. The coach provided weekly calorie and exercise goals and received data from the App and could schedule 15 minute calls twice a month to advise. Researchers believe that someone “watching and caring” created a positive sense of accountability in participants.
This is an important results especially since participants were older (average 58 years) and some with no prior experience with Apps.
For the full story check out: Integrating Technology into Standard Weight Loss Treatment. or consider participating in the make better choices follow-up study.
