Improving affective valuations of physical activity with mobile technology: A protocol for a hybrid factorial/micro-randomized trial

Abstract

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) intervention can help sedentary adults increase physical activity. Specifically, having positive affective valuation (i.e., enjoyment towards walking) towards physical activity can have the potential for building an active lifestyle.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate and optimize each of the three affective valuation intervention components, deployed as a part of an mHealth intervention, for their ability to positively influence people’s affective attitudes towards and affective associations with walking.

Design: The study is a 6-week full factorial experiment with 3 factors (i.e., for a total of 8 conditions) with an embedded micro-randomized trial.

Participants: Forty sedentary adults over 18 years old who have neutral to negative affect towards physical activity.

Intervention: The study will assess three intervention components: 1) Sending messages for conditioning positive affect to the thought of walking, 2) sending messages to increase salience of positive aspects of walking, and 3) planning for enjoyable experience on future walks.

Conclusion: The study will provide insights on decisions regarding the optimization of each of the intervention components to help sedentary adults positively revise their expectation that walking will be an enjoyable and a fulfilling experience.