An mHealth intervention to increase physical activity targeting affective and cognitive attitudes

Abstract

Background: The aim of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of a smartphone application (app) to deliver an intervention investigating the influence of cognitive and affective framed messages and a neutral control messages on physical activity (PA) within the framework of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Methods: Participants (N = 53) were randomly assigned to one of three groups, receiving cognitive framed messages (N = 16), affective framed messages (N = 15) or neutral control messages (N = 14). The outcome measures were a step count recorded via smartphone using a pedometer app and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ - SF). These were recorded at baseline, post-intervention and follow-up. Findings: Step count increased across time points from baseline follow-up in the cognitive message group, however these differences were not significant. Discussion: In contrast to previous research that targeted affective and cognitive attitudes, this study failed to replicate similar patterns of PA change. Future research would benefit from tailoring persuasive messages specifically to walking behaviour.