title: Developing and Pretesting a Text Messaging Program for Health Behavior Change: Recommended Steps.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A growing body of evidence demonstrates that text messaging-based programs (short message service [SMS]) on mobile phones can help people modify health behaviors. Most of these programs have consisted of automated and sometimes interactive text messages that guide a person through the process of behavior change.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This paper provides guidance on how to develop text messaging programs aimed at changing health behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on their collective experience in designing, developing, and evaluating text messaging programs and a review of the literature, the authors drafted the guide. One author initially drafted the guide and the others provided input and review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Steps for developing a text messaging program include conducting formative research for insights into the target audience and health behavior, designing the text messaging program, pretesting the text messaging program concept and messages, and revising the text messaging program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The steps outlined in this guide may help in the development of SMS-based behavior change programs.
authors.affiliation: The Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States. lorien@gwu.edu.
authors.forename: Lorien C
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6859-283X
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Abroms
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0901-9149
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Whittaker
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1711-0006
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Free
authors.forename: Judith
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6112-2904
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendel Van Alstyne
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4805-8231
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Schindler-Ruwisch
keywords: SMS; behavior change; behavior modification; mHealth; telemedicine; text messaging