TY - JOUR
T1 - Designing icanfit
T2 - A mobile-enabled web application to promote physical activity for older cancer survivors
AU - Hong, Yan
AU - Dahlke, Deborah Vollmer
AU - Ory, Marcia
AU - Hochhalter, Angela
AU - Reynolds, Jana
AU - Purcell, Ninfa Pena
AU - Talwar, Divya
AU - Eugene, Nola
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2013 JMIR Human Factors. All rights reserved.
PY - 2013/1/1
Y1 - 2013/1/1
N2 - Background: Most older cancer survivors (OCS) do not engage in regular physical activity (PA) despite well-known health benefits. With the increased use of mobile technologies among older adults, mobile tools may be an effective method to deliver PA promotion programs for OCS. Objective: To document the process of designing an OCS-friendly mobile-enabled Web application of PA promotion program. Methods: Mixed methods encompassing group discussions, individual interviews, and brief surveys with community leaders, OCS, cancer care providers, and software professionals were used in this formative research. Results: The varied stakeholders welcomed the idea of developing an online tool to promote PA in OCS. Our formative research revealed several major barriers to regular PA including limited access to senior-friendly PA resources, lack of motivation and social support, and insufficient knowledge and skills on building safe and appropriate workout plans. This feedback was incorporated into the development of iCanFit, a mobile-enabled Web application, designed specifically for OCS. The iCanFit online tools allow users to locate PA resources, set and track goals for PA, network with peer OCS in a secure online space, and receive practical and evidence-informed healthy tips. Conclusions: Our mixed-method formative research led to the design of iCanFit protocol to promote PA and well-being of OCS. The involvement of stakeholders is critical in the planning and design of the mobile application in order to enhance program relevance, appeal, and match with the needs of target users.
AB - Background: Most older cancer survivors (OCS) do not engage in regular physical activity (PA) despite well-known health benefits. With the increased use of mobile technologies among older adults, mobile tools may be an effective method to deliver PA promotion programs for OCS. Objective: To document the process of designing an OCS-friendly mobile-enabled Web application of PA promotion program. Methods: Mixed methods encompassing group discussions, individual interviews, and brief surveys with community leaders, OCS, cancer care providers, and software professionals were used in this formative research. Results: The varied stakeholders welcomed the idea of developing an online tool to promote PA in OCS. Our formative research revealed several major barriers to regular PA including limited access to senior-friendly PA resources, lack of motivation and social support, and insufficient knowledge and skills on building safe and appropriate workout plans. This feedback was incorporated into the development of iCanFit, a mobile-enabled Web application, designed specifically for OCS. The iCanFit online tools allow users to locate PA resources, set and track goals for PA, network with peer OCS in a secure online space, and receive practical and evidence-informed healthy tips. Conclusions: Our mixed-method formative research led to the design of iCanFit protocol to promote PA and well-being of OCS. The involvement of stakeholders is critical in the planning and design of the mobile application in order to enhance program relevance, appeal, and match with the needs of target users.
KW - Formative research
KW - Older cancer survivors
KW - Physical activity, survivorship, mHealth, website design
KW - Protocol development
KW - User-computer interface
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85055697560&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85055697560&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2196/resprot.2440
DO - 10.2196/resprot.2440
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85055697560
SN - 1929-0748
VL - 2
JO - JMIR Research Protocols
JF - JMIR Research Protocols
IS - 1
M1 - e12
ER -