Can Message-Tailoring Based on Regulatory Fit Theory Improve the Efficacy of Persuasive Physical Activity Systems?
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Background and Related Work
2.1. Message Framing
2.2. Message Tailoring
2.3. Using Regulatory Fit Theory to Tailor Persuasive Messages
Tailoring health messages to individuals’ self-regulatory-orientation increases the chance of them become more physically active.
3. Method
3.1. Messages
- (1)
- Promotion-messages, which were framed to promote the benefits of performing regular physical activity.
- (2)
- Prevention-messages, which highlighted the health problems that can be avoided by performing regular physical activity.
- (3)
- Reminder messages, which had a neutral tone and were used for the control condition.
3.2. Participants and Recruitment Process
- At least 18 years of age
- Free of medical concerns that prohibit participation in moderate physical activities (i.e., not prohibited to walk at a fast pace by physician), and
- Perform less than 150 min/week leisure time moderate to vigorous physical activity.
3.3. Study Design
Tailoring health messages to individuals’ self-regulatory orientation increases the chance of them become more physically active.
- Promotion-messages vs. prevention-messages vs. reminders
- Fit vs. non-fit condition
3.4. Procedure
3.5. Expected Outcomes
4. Results
4.1. Brisk Walk Time Averages
4.2. The Effect of Intervention Messages
4.3. The Effect of Regulatory Fit
5. Discussion
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Promotion/gain-framed Message | People who participate in aerobic activities such as jogging, swimming, and basketball are more likely to improve their cardiovascular fitness. |
Prevention Message | Physical activity can alleviate the symptoms and effects of conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. |
Loss-framed Message | Physical inactivity can increase the symptoms and effects of conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. |
Prevention-message | By adding 10-min bouts of regular leisure-time physical activity, you will reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. |
Promotion-message | In the short-term, physical activity can improve body composition, glucose levels, and cholesterol levels. |
Reminder-message | Don’t forget to go for your 20-min brisk walk today. |
Participation Eligibility Measure | |
---|---|
Definitions:
| |
1 | Yes, I have been participating in leisure-time physical activity regularly for MORE than six months, |
2 | Yes, I have been participating in leisure-time physical activity regularly for LESS than six months, |
3 | No, but I intend to start participating in leisure-time physical activity regularly in the next 30 days, |
4 | No, but I intend to start participating in leisure-time physical activity regularly in the next six months, or |
5 | No, and I do NOT intend to start participating in leisure-time physical activity regularly in the next six months. |
Age | Between 18 and 65 Mean = 23.55, SD = 5.8 |
Gender | Female = 71.31% Male = 28.69 |
Education | High school diploma = 29.51% Undergraduate degree = 38.51% Graduate degree = 22.13% Post-graduate degree = 9.02% |
Dropout Rates and Pattern | % |
---|---|
Percentage of participants who dropped out just after the first day: | 23.3 |
• Prevention-message recipients | 8.6 |
• Promotion-message recipients | 4.3 |
• Reminder recipients | 10.3 |
Percentage of participants who dropped out after one week of receiving messages: | 44.8 |
• Prevention-message recipients | 14.6 |
• Promotion-message recipients | 15.5 |
• Reminder recipients | 14.6 |
Percentage of participants who dropped out after two weeks of receiving messages: | 44 |
• Prevention-message recipients | 12.1 |
• Promotion-message recipients | 13.8 |
• Reminder recipients | 18.1 |
Dropout Reasons | % |
---|---|
I have become very busy and have no more time to continue. | 62.22 |
I don’t think the weather is appropriate for 20-min brisk walks anymore. | 26.67 |
I have time but was not motivated enough to continue. | 20.00 |
I do not wish to respond. | 13.33 |
Because of a physical health problem (e.g., injury, cold, etc.). | 4.44 |
Because of a mental health problem (e.g., feeling stressed, anxious, and/or depressed, etc.). | 4.44 |
I don’t have the support of my friends/family anymore. | 0.00 |
Fit/Non-Fit Condition | Message Condition | Mean (Minutes) | Std. Dev. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Baseline | Non-fit | Prevention-Message-Recipients | 27.06 | 13.85 |
Promotion-Message-Recipients | 8.08 | 8.68 | ||
Fit | Prevention-Message-Recipients | 15.00 | 8.33 | |
Promotion-Message-Recipients | 15.78 | 14.87 | ||
N/A | Reminder-Message- Recipients | 10.44 | 11.09 | |
Total | 13.90 | 12.53 | ||
>Week 1 | Non-fit | Prevention-Message-Recipients | 27.20 | 8.05 |
Promotion-Message-Recipients | 23.42 | 9.73 | ||
Fit | Prevention-Message-Recipients | 22.81 | 10.07 | |
Promotion-Message-Recipients | 24.38 | 4.45 | ||
N/A | Reminder-Message- Recipients | 23.95 | 4.42 | |
Total | 24.19 | 7.25 | ||
Week 2 | Non-fit | Prevention-Message-Recipients | 28.97 | 8.58 |
Promotion-Message-Recipients | 24.64 | 13.59 | ||
Fit | Prevention-Message-Recipients | 23.80 | 5.59 | |
Promotion-Message-Recipients | 28.62 | 5.92 | ||
N/A | Reminder-Message- Recipients | 24.24 | 7.76 | |
Total | 25.63 | 8.89 |
Participant’s Self-regulatory Orientation | Mean (Minute) | Std. Deviation | |
---|---|---|---|
Baseline | Prevention-oriented | 8.10 | 2.51 |
Promotion-oriented | 15.80 | 4.96 | |
Week 1 | Prevention-oriented | 23.42 | 2.81 |
Promotion-oriented | 24.38 | 1.48 | |
Week 2 | Prevention-oriented | 24.60 | 3.92 |
Promotion-oriented | 28.62 | 1.97 |
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Sadat Rezai, L.; Chin, J.; Casares-Li, R.; He, F.; Bassett-Gunter, R.; Burns, C. Can Message-Tailoring Based on Regulatory Fit Theory Improve the Efficacy of Persuasive Physical Activity Systems? Information 2019, 10, 347. https://doi.org/10.3390/info10110347
Sadat Rezai L, Chin J, Casares-Li R, He F, Bassett-Gunter R, Burns C. Can Message-Tailoring Based on Regulatory Fit Theory Improve the Efficacy of Persuasive Physical Activity Systems? Information. 2019; 10(11):347. https://doi.org/10.3390/info10110347
Chicago/Turabian StyleSadat Rezai, Leila, Jessie Chin, Reicelis Casares-Li, Fan He, Rebecca Bassett-Gunter, and Catherine Burns. 2019. "Can Message-Tailoring Based on Regulatory Fit Theory Improve the Efficacy of Persuasive Physical Activity Systems?" Information 10, no. 11: 347. https://doi.org/10.3390/info10110347