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September 16, 2024 — A new study reveals that apps designed to increase physical activity, such as step counters, may only be effective if users believe they are beneficial. The research, led by Anne L. Vos, PhD, from the Amsterdam School of Communication Research, highlights that the perceived usefulness of such apps plays a significant role in their impact on daily step counts.
The randomized controlled trial, conducted from February 2021 to May 2022, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an adaptive walking app, SNapp, which provided personalized coaching content. A total of 176 adults, with an average age of 56, were divided into two groups. One group used SNapp with tailored coaching (87 participants), while the other used a basic step counter app (89 participants).
SNapp’s coaching feature offered users feedback on their step counts and behavior modification tips based on individual preferences. The primary outcome measured was the daily step count, which was recorded and updated hourly for 12 months.
Findings and Moderating Factors
Results showed no significant difference in the step counts between those using SNapp and the control group. On average, SNapp did not increase steps notably over time, as the adjusted effect size was small and statistically insignificant (B, −202.30; 95% CI, −889.7 to 485.1).
However, a key insight from the study was that users’ perceptions of the app’s usefulness played a crucial role in its effectiveness. Participants who found SNapp beneficial exhibited higher median step counts compared to the control group. The median difference was approximately 1260 steps, though this was not statistically significant.
In contrast, the ease of use of the app did not show a meaningful influence on walking behavior. This suggests that how useful an app is perceived to be might outweigh how easy it is to use when it comes to changing physical activity habits.
“This study shows that perceived usefulness is an important factor influencing behavioral effects. Apps must be perceived as useful to effectively improve users’ activity levels,” the authors concluded.
Practical Implications
The findings emphasize the importance of designing health apps that users find valuable. Developers should focus on features that resonate with users’ goals and motivations, ensuring that they see a clear benefit in using the app.
The study’s authors also suggest that future research should investigate ways to improve user engagement and perception of utility, as this could lead to better outcomes in promoting physical activity.
Study Limitations
The study’s recruitment strategy primarily attracted well-educated participants, which limits the generalizability of the results. Additionally, SNapp’s step-counting accuracy was not flawless, with occasional underestimations. Researchers were also unable to verify whether participants engaged with messages from coaches, a factor that could have impacted the study’s results.
The study, supported by grants from the Dutch Heart Foundation and the Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development, was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
For developers and public health practitioners, this study underscores the complex relationship between user perception and the success of digital interventions. To promote healthier behaviors through technology, ensuring that users recognize the app’s value might be just as important as the app itself.
