title: How to Increase Reach and Adherence of Web-Based Interventions: A Design Research Viewpoint.
abstract: Nowadays, technology is increasingly used to increase people's well-being. For example, many mobile and Web-based apps have been developed that can support people to become mentally fit or to manage their daily diet. However, analyses of current Web-based interventions show that many systems are only used by a specific group of users (eg, women, highly educated), and that even they often do not persist and drop out as the intervention unfolds. In this paper, we assess the impact of design features of Web-based interventions on reach and adherence and conclude that the power that design can have has not been used to its full potential. We propose looking at design research as a source of inspiration for new (to the field) design approaches. The paper goes on to specify and discuss three of these approaches: personalization, ambient information, and use of metaphors. Central to our viewpoint is the role of positive affect triggered by well-designed persuasive features to boost adherence and well-being. Finally, we discuss the future of persuasive eHealth interventions and suggest avenues for follow-up research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Design, Faculty of Engineering Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands. g.d.s.ludden@utwente.nl.
authors.forename: Geke D S
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4508-9865
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Ludden
authors.forename: Thomas J L
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6126-5462
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: van Rompay
authors.forename: Saskia M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8949-6871
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kelders
authors.forename: Julia E W C
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6511-7240
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: van Gemert-Pijnen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D057285:Precision Medicine; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Web-based interventions; adherence; ambient information; design for well-being; metaphors; personalization