A mobile phone intervention for improving wellness: User experience study results

Aino Ahtinen, Pasi Välkkynen, Tero Myllymäki, Essi Sairanen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientific

Abstract

Introduction: Oiva is a personal mobile phone intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The application aims at improving psychological flexibility - and thus personal mental and physical wellness - with the help of guidance and exercises in the audio, video and textual formats. Before conducting large-scale effectiveness studies, the user experiences and feasibility of a new application must be studied to ensure its maturity. Positive user experiences and flawless technical functionality are required before a technology-based intervention can be effective. Objectives: We present the methodology and results of a field study that focused on the user experiences (i.e. usefulness, acceptance, perceptions, and usability), usage activity, and feasibility of the Oiva application.  Methodology: 15 participants are recruited among the local university employees and students for the field study of one month. The participants are screened with the Acceptance & Action Questionnaire (AAQ). The study consists of an initial group meeting where ACT principles and the application are briefly introduced to the participants. The participants are given an Android mobile phone with the Oiva application installed. The participants are advised to use the application for one month. The user experiences are studied with two questionnaires during the usage period and a semi-structured face-to-face interview at the end. Log files are captured from the mobile phones to study actual usage. Results: In this presentation, the user experience and usage results obtained in the study are presented. We also describe how the results affected the further design of Oiva. Discussion: The results of the study will be used to verify the maturity of Oiva application for a large-scale effectiveness study, where it will be compared to a face-to-face ACT-based intervention. The findings of the study will also be used to improve and finalize the application.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 42nd Annual Congress of the European Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapy (EABCT)
Subtitle of host publicationGeneve, 29 Aug. - 1 Sept. 2012
PublisherEuropean Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapy (EABCT)
Publication statusPublished - 2012
MoE publication typeNot Eligible

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