%0 Journal Article
%@ 1929-0748
%I JMIR Publications
%V 7
%N 5
%P e117
%T Translating Behavior Change Principles Into a Blended Exercise Intervention for Older Adults: Design Study
%A Mehra,Sumit
%A Visser,Bart
%A Dadema,Tessa
%A van den Helder,Jantine
%A Engelbert,Raoul HH
%A Weijs,Peter JM
%A Kröse,Ben JA
%+ Digital Life - CREATE-IT Applied Research, Faculty of Digital Media and Creative Industries, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Wibautstraat 2-4, Amsterdam, 1091 GM, Netherlands, 1 0621156956, s.mehra@hva.nl
%K frail elderly
%K aged
%K activities of daily living
%K exercise
%K telemedicine
%K remote consultation
%K mobile devices
%K tablet computers
%K behavior control
%K health behavior
%K treatment adherence and compliance
%D 2018
%7 02.05.2018
%9 Original Paper
%J JMIR Res Protoc
%G English
%X Background: Physical activity can prevent or delay age-related impairments and prolong the ability of older adults to live independently. Community-based programs typically offer classes where older adults can exercise only once a week under the guidance of an instructor. The health benefits of such programs vary. Exercise frequency and the duration of the program play a key role in realizing effectiveness. An auxiliary home-based exercise program can provide older adults the opportunity to exercise more regularly over a prolonged period of time in the convenience of their own homes. Furthermore, mobile electronic devices can be used to motivate and remotely guide older adults to exercise in a safe manner. Such a blended intervention, where technology is combined with personal guidance, needs to incorporate behavior change principles to ensure effectiveness. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify theory-based components of a blended intervention that supports older adults to exercise at home. Methods: The Medical Research Council framework was used to develop the blended intervention. Insights from focus group, expert panels, and literature were combined into leading design considerations. Results: A client-server system had been developed that combined a tablet app with a database in the cloud and a Web-based dashboard that can be used by a personal coach to remotely monitor and guide older adults. The app contains several components that facilitate behavior change—an interactive module for goal setting, the ability to draw up a personal training schedule from a library containing over 50 exercise videos, progress monitoring, and possibilities to receive remote feedback and guidance of a personal coach. Conclusions: An evidence-based blended intervention was designed to promote physical activity among older adults. The underlying design choices were underpinned by behavior change techniques that are rooted in self-regulation. Key components of the tablet-supported intervention were a tailored program that accommodates individual needs, demonstrations of functional exercises, monitoring, and remote feedback. The blended approach combines the convenience of a home-based exercise program for older adults with the strengths of mobile health and personal guidance. 
%M 29720358
%R 10.2196/resprot.9244
%U http://www.researchprotocols.org/2018/5/e117/
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/resprot.9244
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29720358