Evaluating an Engagement Engine to Support Long Term Use of Fitness Trackers and Sustain Physical Activity

Due to the growing interest in tracking personal health and wellness information, the use of wearable fitness trackers is becoming a necessary tool in providing the tracking data. However, the potential benefits of the tool can be fully realized only if the adoption and use of the tracker is sustained.

The decision to engage in physical activity (or not) is complex, and therefore, the investigators attempt to engage people in a physical activity program will consider adopting an individualized approach to barrier management which takes into account personal beliefs and perceptions regarding physical activity, setting goals in addition to using an "engagement engine" designed specifically for this study. The primary objective of the phase 2 of this study is to test an "engagement engine" that will support successful and sustained engagement with health trackers thereby increasing physical activity.

The study will be recruiting a total of 138 participants from the general public via Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) research broadcast e-serve list, the study website, flyers and study informational tables at MGH-affiliated health clinics. Participants can enroll in the study by consenting remotely where the screening and consenting will take place online through the study website.

After the consenting process, enrolled participants will be instructed on how to download the FitBit smartphone application and provide the study staff authorization to collect step data from their tracker. The enrollment process will involve completing a set of enrollment questions related to general health, barriers to physical activity, exercise regulation, Prochaska's stage of change, demographics and technology use via a web link on the study website. Next a research analyst will mail a copy of the consent form, wearable activity tracker (Fitbit Charge) and device instructions via traceable mail to the research participants. For participants who enroll from the informational tables, the research analyst will provide them the FitBit in person. Once confirmed that participants have received their device, the participant will be contacted by the Partners Connected Health (PCH) study staff to conduct a brief phone interview to determine a personalized goal that can be used for targeted, personalized messages as needed.

Participants will be enrolled in the study for (24 weeks) and for the first week the engagement engine will calculate the average step count and use data from the enrollment questionnaire to recommend a physical activity goal. During the study, the engagement engine will recommend a daily physical activity goal and will assess the user's levels of engagement with the activity tracker. At week 12, participants will be sent a midpoint questionnaire and at week 24 the closeout questionnaire will be sent to the participant.