Thesis Format
Monograph
Degree
Master of Science
Program
Kinesiology
Supervisor
Mitchell, Marc S.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The long-term (i.e., ≥ 12 months) effects of commercial mHealth apps on physical activity (PA) have been scarcely studied. PURPOSE: To conduct a longitudinal examination of a ‘top tier’ commercial mHealth app on population-level PA. METHODS: A 24-month pre-post quasi-experimental study was conducted between December 2016 and June 2019 with Carrot Rewards app users in Ontario, Canada. Users with valid smartphone-assessed baseline step count data were included. Simple linear regression models analyzed weekly mean daily step counts. Post-hoc estimates examined differences in weekly mean daily step count from baseline. RESULTS: The total sample included 516,818 users (% female: 62.83; age [SD]: 33.46 [12.65] years; baseline daily step count [SD]: 6,035 [3,706]). Compared to baseline, weekly mean daily step counts were 464 (95% CIs: 453, 475) and 242 (95% CIs: 221, 264) steps/day higher at 12 and 24 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: This commercial mHealth app increased population-level PA over 24 months.
Summary for Lay Audience
Most popular fitness apps rarely undergo peer-reviewed evaluation. Fewer apps are evaluated for longer than six months, the approximate time frame when a behaviour is more likely to become a sustained habit. To address the global physical inactivity pandemic, there is a need for governments and organizations to adopt sustainable physical activity interventions at the population level. Utilizing incentive-based interventions delivered through smartphone apps may enhance physical activity on a broader scale while remaining cost-effective; however, the industry has been characterized by low physical activity app engagement, resulting in minor impacts and little sustainability. Carrot Rewards was a popular Canadian commercial fitness app that rewarded users with digital incentives (i.e., loyalty points redeemable for consumer products) for achieving their personal health goals, such as step count. This was a 24-month study that examined the impact of Carrot Rewards on objectively measured physical activity among 516,818 users who resided in Ontario. A 464-step increase was found 12 months after baseline, with an increase of 242 steps approximately 24 months after baseline. Users who downloaded the app during the earlier stages of the study (e.g., first four download seasons) showed larger step count increases around 12 months. Given this study’s sample size and real-world design, these findings may inform governments and corporations about the development and/or advancement of other commercial fitness apps and their features at a population level.
Recommended Citation
Nguyen, Lisa, "Examining the long-term effects of a commercial mHealth app: A 24-month quasi-experimental study of 516,818 app users" (2024). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 10164.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/10164