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Open Access 01-09-2016 | Original Research

Characterising smoking cessation smartphone applications in terms of behaviour change techniques, engagement and ease-of-use features

Authors: Harveen Kaur Ubhi, M.Sc., Susan Michie, D.Phil., Daniel Kotz, Ph.D., Onno C. P. van Schayck, Ph.D., Abiram Selladurai, B.Sc., Robert West, Ph.D.

Published in: Translational Behavioral Medicine | Issue 3/2016

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess whether or not behaviour change techniques (BCTs) as well as engagement and ease-of-use features used in smartphone applications (apps) to aid smoking cessation can be identified reliably. Apps were coded for presence of potentially effective BCTs, and engagement and ease-of-use features. Inter-rater reliability for this coding was assessed. Inter-rater agreement for identifying presence of potentially effective BCTs ranged from 66.8 to 95.1 % with ‘prevalence and bias adjusted kappas’ (PABAK) ranging from 0.35 to 0.90 (p < 0.001). The intra-class correlation coefficients between the two coders for scores denoting the proportions of (a) a set of engagement features and (b) a set of ease-of-use features, which were included, were 0.77 and 0.75, respectively (p < 0.001). Prevalence estimates for BCTs ranged from <10 % for medication advice to >50 % for rewarding abstinence. The average proportions of specified engagement and ease-of-use features included in the apps were 69 and 83 %, respectively. The study found that it is possible to identify potentially effective BCTs, and engagement and ease-of-use features in smoking cessation apps with fair to high inter-rater reliability.

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Title: Characterising smoking cessation smartphone applications in terms of behaviour change techniques, engagement and ease-of-use features
Authors: Harveen Kaur Ubhi, M.Sc.
Susan Michie, D.Phil.
Daniel Kotz, Ph.D.
Onno C. P. van Schayck, Ph.D.
Abiram Selladurai, B.Sc.
Robert West, Ph.D.
Publication date: 01-09-2016
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Translational Behavioral Medicine / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 1869-6716
Electronic ISSN: 1613-9860
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-015-0352-x

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

Characterising smoking cessation smartphone applications in terms of behaviour change techniques, engagement and ease-of-use features

Abstract

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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