Think Aloud Testing of a Smartphone App for Lifestyle Change Among Persons at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Usability Study.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is considered a global epidemic. Despite the growing evidence on the effectiveness of mobile health interventions in the management of DM2, the evidence on the effect of mobile health interventions in prevention of DM2 is sparse. Therefore, we have developed an app aiming to promote initiation of behavioral change and adherence to healthy behavior. Before commencing a small-scale randomized controlled trial to assess the feasibility of using an app for initiation and adherence of healthy behavior in people at risk of DM2, testing the usability of the app in the target population is warranted. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the usability of an app among people at risk of DM2. METHODS: A qualitative study with the use of a think aloud (TA) procedure was conducted from April to November 2022. The TA procedure consisted of 10 problem-solving tasks and a semistructured interview which was carried out after the tasks. These interviews served to gain more in-depth knowledge of the users experience of the problem-solving tasks. The TA-sessions and the postactivity interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and the data were coded and analyzed following the principles of thematic analysis. RESULTS: In total, 7 people at risk of DM2 with a median age of 66 (range 41-75) years participated in this study. The analysis resulted in the following themes: (1) user interface design; and (2) suggestions for improvements of the functionality of the app. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the participants were satisfied with the usability of the app. Through the TA-sessions, real time perspective on the appeal, relevance, and utility of the app were gained. Only minor changes to the functionality of the prototype app were reported as necessary to improve the usability of the app. Points of guidance from the participants in this study have been adopted and incorporated into the final design of the app now being assessed for feasibility in a small-scale randomized controlled trial.

Facilitators and barriers for lifestyle change in people with prediabetes: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes worldwide is a major global public health concern. Prediabetes is a reversible condition and is seen as the critical phase for the prevention of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study is to identify and synthesize current evidence on the perceived barriers and facilitators of lifestyle change among people with prediabetes in terms of both initial change and lifestyle change maintenance. METHODS: A systematic literature search in six bibliographic databases was conducted in April 2021. Potential studies were assessed for eligibility based on pre-set criteria. Quality appraisal was done on the included studies, and the thematic synthesis approach was applied to synthesize and analyse the data from the included studies. RESULTS: Twenty primary studies were included, containing the experiences of 552 individuals. Thirteen studies reported participants perceived facilitators and barriers of lifestyle change when taking part in community-based lifestyle intervention programs, while seven studies reported on perceived facilitators and barriers of lifestyle change through consultations with health care professionals (no intervention involved). Three analytical themes illuminating perceived barriers and facilitators for lifestyle change were identified: 1) the individual's evaluation of the importance of initiating lifestyle change, 2) the second theme was strategies and coping mechanisms for maintaining lifestyle changes and 3) the last theme was the significance of supportive relations and environments in initiating and maintaining lifestyle change. CONCLUSION: Awareness of prediabetes and the perception of its related risks affects the motivation for lifestyle change in people at risk of type 2 diabetes; but this does not necessarily lead to lifestyle changes. Facilitators and barriers of lifestyle change are found to be in a complex interplay within multiple ecological levels, including the interpersonal, intrapersonal, environmental and policy level. An integrated understanding and analysis of the perceived barriers and facilitators of lifestyle change might inform people with prediabetes, healthcare professionals, and policy makers in terms of the need for psychological, social, and environmental support for this population.