USING A SMARTPHONE APP TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF ADULTS AND ELDERLY: A FOCUS GROUP STUDY

• Autor(a) principal: Proença, Neli
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: do Socorro Morais Pereira Simões, Maria, de Barros Gonze, Bárbara, da Costa Padovani, Ricardo, Zuniga Dourado, Victor
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista Enfermagem Atual In Derme
• Texto Completo: https://revistaenfermagematual.com/index.php/revista/article/view/1718
• topic: Aplicativo para Smartphone; Atividade Física; Grupo Focal; Mudança de Comportamento; Behavior Change; Focus Group; Physical Activity; Smartphone Application; Aplicación para Smartphone; Actividad física; Grupo de enfoque; Cambio de comportamiento

Abstract: Objective: This study was developed with a Focus Group (FG) to understand the perception of participants in a clinical trial about the use of a smartphone app (Pacer™) to promote physical activity, associated with behavior change techniques. Method: This is a qualitative study using the content analysis technique of the participants' verbal reports. For six months, participants in a clinical trial of adaptive interventions used the Pacer™ smartphone app, which was associated with behavior change techniques. Results: The participants presented as facilitators for the easy handling of the app, the self-monitoring and providing feedback. The possibility of competing and the establishment of ranking were identified as essential motivational tools. Additionally, the participants identified as the main barriers the lack of adequate infrastructure to perform physical activity and the lack of security in carrying the smartphone to activities. Social support from family members, partners and friends provided important support and facilitated behavior change. Final Considerations: Our study reports challenges and possibilities to promote changes in physical activity behavior by using smartphone apps. The FG provided a better understanding of the possibility of engaging in physical activity.