Skip to main content

Table 3 Features that should be incorporated in an app for adults at risk of T2D

From: Co-design of a digital dietary intervention for adults at risk of type 2 diabetes

Workshop findings

Implementation recommendations—Persuasive design principlesa and implementation examples related to workshop findings

Theme: Individual, social and environmental determinants

TDF domain: Environmental context and resources

Example quote: “Budget menu planner, with recipes, so if you’re broke you can still eat for good T2 management …”

Reduction: App should reduce effort that users need to adopt target behaviour. For example, app lists budget-friendly healthy food options at restaurants and on grocery shopping websites.

Theme: Access to healthcare services

TDF domain: Environmental context and resources

Example quote: “Keep me on track, help me understand my processes, determine exactly what is unfolding instead of guessing … from which community or doctors may be able to help me.”

Tunnelling: App should provide action pathways that facilitate reaching target behaviour. For example, app offers information about available professional healthcare services.

Theme: Social connections

TDF domain: Social influences

Example quote: “Chat groups with break out facilities so people can connect and support each other if they want”

Social learning: App should enable users to view other users who are adopting similar target behaviours. Users can connect with other users via chat groups, a community forum, Facebook, or other social media platforms.

Social facilitation: App should enable users to discern other users who are adopting similar behaviours. User can have video conference calls with healthcare professionals.

Theme: Tracking/monitoring progress

TDF domain: Behavioural regulation

Example quote: “… Identifies that you have gone over your carbs for the day, for example”

Self-monitoring: App should enable users to track their status or performance. For example, app presents a user’s diet record.

Theme: Unique journey

TDF domain: Social/professional role and identity

Example quote: “Analysis of the menu items linked to personalisation of the app for you and utilising historical data”

Personalisation: App should offer personalised content and services. Users can be guided to make healthier food choices based on ability of app to analyse nutritional information of food and keep a record of user’s progress.

Theme: Behavioural consequences

TDF domain: Reinforcement

Sub-theme: Positive reinforcement

Example quotes: “Assist/force exercise habits”, “Award points for success”

Praise: App should provide feedback information based on user’s behaviours using words, images, or sounds. For example, app sends automated text-messages, audio, or visual notification to encourage, motivate, and empower users to reach target behavioural goals.

Rewards: App should provide users with virtual rewards as credit for performing target behaviour. For example, app alters media items such as sounds to reward user’s performance; app gives users reward points for achieving individual goals.

  1. aPD principles originally described by Oinas-Kukkonen & Harjumaa (2009)