Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Examining Engagement Predictors of Health and Fitness App Uptake and Subscription in the General Population

This study is investigating why people start using and continue to pay for the 'WayBetter' health and fitness app. Over 24 weeks, researchers will use information from about 1000 new adult app users to see what encourages them to use the app. They'll look at things like users' backgrounds, past health habits, and personality traits, as well as how they interact with the app. The main goal is to figure out what predicts if someone will subscribe to the app for six months and if they’ll renew their subscription after that. They also want to understand how people use the app during their first 24 weeks.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

Western University, Canada

Enrolment target

1,084

Start

06 Nov 2023

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2024

Physical Inactivity Healthy Eating Mental Health Wellness 1

What is this study about?

This study is all about understanding how people use health and fitness apps, specifically one called 'WayBetter'. The app helps users with things like getting more active, eating healthier, and looking after their mental well-being. Researchers want to find out what encourages people to start using this app and, more importantly, what makes them continue to use it for an extended period, like six months. This kind of information is really important because it can help make health apps more useful and engaging for everyone.

Over 24 weeks (that's about six months), the study will look at information from around 1,000 new adult users of the WayBetter app. They'll be looking for patterns in who uses the app and how they use it. For example, they'll consider things like a person's age, whether they've tried to improve their health before, and even some aspects of their personality. They'll also track how often and in what ways people interact with the app itself.

The main aim is to understand what influences two key things: firstly, whether someone decides to subscribe to the app for six months, and secondly, whether they choose to renew that subscription after the first six months are up. The study will also explore how people generally use the WayBetter app during these first 24 weeks. This research could help design better health apps in the future that genuinely support people in reaching their health goals.

Key takeaways

The study looks at health app use over 24 weeks.
It focuses on the 'WayBetter' app for fitness, healthy eating, and mental well-being.
Researchers want to know why people subscribe and keep using the app.
Anonymous app usage data and a survey will be used.
The goal is to improve future health apps.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to be an adult, aged 18 or older. You also need to have recently signed up for the WayBetter app, either by enrolling or by just finishing your seven-day free trial within the last five days.

Since surveys in this study are in English, you must be able to understand and communicate in English to take part. Unfortunately, if you are under 18, you won't be able to join this study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you recently started using the WayBetter app (within 5 days of either signing up or finishing your free trial)?
Can you understand and communicate in English?
Are you willing to complete a survey and share your anonymous app data?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you take part, your information will be used from your first 24 weeks of using the WayBetter app. You'll also be asked to fill out a survey. This survey will ask about your personal background, your past health habits, and some of your personality traits. The study doesn't involve any special visits, medications, or extra follow-up beyond what happens as a regular WayBetter app user. You will need to agree to share your app usage data, but this will be done in a way that doesn't identify you personally.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may help researchers understand what makes health apps most effective, which could improve future apps. There are no direct medical benefits to you. The risks are very low; your personal information will be kept private, and your data will be used anonymously, meaning it won't be linked back to you. You are free to decide not to participate or to withdraw your consent at any time without affecting your WayBetter app use.

Locations (1)

University of Western Ontario
Verified postcode
London, Canada

Common questions

What is the 'WayBetter' app?

It's a health and wellbeing app that offers games and challenges to help people with fitness, nutrition, and mental health.

Will my personal information be shared?

Your app data will be shared with the researchers, but it will be made anonymous so it can't be traced back to you personally.

Do I have to pay to be in the study?

The study itself doesn't cost anything. However, the WayBetter app does require a subscription after a free trial if you wish to continue using it for games.

How long will the study last for me?

The study will look at your app usage over your first 24 weeks of using the WayBetter app. You'll also complete a survey at the beginning.

What is the study hoping to achieve?

The study aims to understand what makes people start and continue to use health apps like WayBetter, which could help make future apps better.