"It helps me to stay on the right path, rather than give in”: Mixed-method process evaluation of the ImpulsePal app-based intervention for weight management
dc.contributor.author | Van Beurden, SB | |
dc.contributor.author | Greaves, CJ | |
dc.contributor.author | Abraham, C | |
dc.contributor.author | Lawrence, NS | |
dc.contributor.author | Smith, JR | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2023-11-29T12:00:58Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2023-12-18 | |
dc.date.updated | 2023-11-29T10:59:05Z | |
dc.description.abstract | Background: Empirical research indicates that impulsive processes that operate below conscious monitoring can undermine peoples’ attempts to change behaviour patterns, especially those that have become habitual. This may, therefore, be a serious challenge for those trying to lose weight. A novel smartphone app-based intervention (ImpulsePal) offers practical strategies to manage impulsive urges to facilitate reductions in the consumption of energy38 dense processed food and overeating. Aim: This process evaluation of ImpulsePal aimed to explore what was delivered/received and used, mechanisms of action, and potential contextual factors impacting intervention engagement and outcomes. Methods: A mixed-methods process evaluation, with composite analysis of the quantitative (app usage statistics) and qualitative data (semi-structured interviews), was conducted alongside a feasibility randomised controlled trial with individuals with a BMI of at least 25kg/m2 who wanted to lose weight. Results: Of 58 participants receiving ImpulsePal, 56 had successfully shared app usage statistics and 36 (62%) were interviewed. Although usage statistics indicated reductions in use of some features, interviews indicated that participants were still using app-recommended strategies without requiring to open ImpulsPal. Overall, interviews highlighted that participants valued having access to in-the-moment support, felt more aware of their own eating behaviour and influences on it, and felt an increased ability to avoid and reconceptualise, in-the-moment temptations. Conclusion: This process evaluation offers support for a logic model suggesting that impulse management, using ImpulsePal, can promote healthier eating among those motivated to lose weight. It also highlights the necessity of using multimodal methods to explore delivery and use of digital interventions. | en_GB |
dc.description.sponsorship | Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) | en_GB |
dc.description.sponsorship | University of Exeter Medical School | en_GB |
dc.identifier.citation | Published online 18 December 2023 | en_GB |
dc.identifier.doi | 10.1177/20552076231220806 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10871/134689 | |
dc.identifier | ORCID: 0000-0001-7848-2159 (Van Beurden, Samantha) | |
dc.language.iso | en | en_GB |
dc.publisher | SAGE Publications | en_GB |
dc.rights | © The Author(s) 2023. Open access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work as published without adaptation or alteration, without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage). | |
dc.title | "It helps me to stay on the right path, rather than give in”: Mixed-method process evaluation of the ImpulsePal app-based intervention for weight management | en_GB |
dc.type | Article | en_GB |
dc.date.available | 2023-11-29T12:00:58Z | |
dc.identifier.issn | 2055-2076 | |
dc.description | This is the final version. Available on open access from SAGE Publications via the DOI in this record | en_GB |
dc.identifier.journal | Digital Health | en_GB |
dc.relation.ispartof | Digital Health | |
dc.rights.uri | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ | en_GB |
dcterms.dateAccepted | 2023-11-28 | |
dcterms.dateSubmitted | 2023-07-18 | |
rioxxterms.version | VoR | en_GB |
rioxxterms.licenseref.startdate | 2023-11-28 | |
rioxxterms.type | Journal Article/Review | en_GB |
refterms.dateFCD | 2023-11-29T10:59:07Z | |
refterms.versionFCD | AM | |
refterms.dateFOA | 2024-02-02T14:22:31Z | |
refterms.panel | A | en_GB |
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This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work as published without adaptation or alteration, without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).