Design, Implementation and Evaluation of a Gamified Mobile App for Long-Term Behavior Change

Abstract

The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing. NCDs, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases, are not contagious but are typically caused by unhealthy behaviors. However, many of these diseases are largely preventable. Research shows that 80 % of heart diseases, strokes, and type 2 diabetes, as well as over one-third of cancers, can be prevented by eliminating tobacco use, adopting a healthy diet, maintaining good mental health, staying physically active, and reducing harmful alcohol consumption. For many individuals, changing behavior to minimize the aforementioned risk factors can be challenging and often leads to short-term results only. Previous research in NCD prevention has mainly focused on developing interventions that target specific behavior categories in isolation, disregarding the interconnected nature of human behavior, where improvements in one area can influence others. This work proposes a novel and holistic approach that acknowledges the complexity and interdependence of multiple factors influencing behavior change. The result is a gamified mobile app designed and developed to support long-term behavior change. A psychologist and a total of 25 members of the target group evaluated the application during different stages of development. The mobile app promotes positive attitudes toward behavior change, offering rewards for healthy actions and engaging users through a meaningful narrative, which enhances the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing NCD risk factors.