A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Wearable Technology: Findings from the Vivo Play Scientist (VPS) Program
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a Canadian recreation centre launched a community-based intervention to increase physical activity (PA) and reduce sedentary behaviour (SB). The Vivo Play Scientist (VPS) program provided a free wearable device (Garmin Vivofit4) that synchronized with a customized eHeal...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/13/12/454 |
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| author | Patricia K. Doyle-Baker Jennie A. Petersen Dalia Ghoneim Anita Blackstaffe Calli Naish Gavin R. McCormack |
| author_facet | Patricia K. Doyle-Baker Jennie A. Petersen Dalia Ghoneim Anita Blackstaffe Calli Naish Gavin R. McCormack |
| author_sort | Patricia K. Doyle-Baker |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | During the COVID-19 pandemic, a Canadian recreation centre launched a community-based intervention to increase physical activity (PA) and reduce sedentary behaviour (SB). The Vivo Play Scientist (VPS) program provided a free wearable device (Garmin Vivofit4) that synchronized with a customized eHealth dashboard. Aim: The study investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of the VPS program through the participants’ use and experiences of the device and dashboard using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Method: We employed a concurrent mixed-methods approach of online surveys and semi-structured telephone interviews and estimated the device and dashboard’s perceived usefulness and ease of use with TAM. Results: Of the 318 participants (mean age 39.8) 87 enrolled and completed the survey at baseline-T<sub>0</sub>, 4 wks-T<sub>1</sub>, and 8 wks-T<sub>2</sub>. Maximal-variation sampling was used to select 23 participants (78%, F) for interviews. We compared frequency of use, perceived usefulness and ease of use of the device and dashboard across all surveys using non-parametric statistical tests. A thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Participants had some experience using a wearable device (46%) or eHealth application (49%). A high use (≥4 d/wk.) of Vivofit4 at T<sub>1</sub> (93%) and T<sub>2</sub> (87%) occurred, but dashboard use was less frequent (≥1 d/wk. T<sub>1</sub> 54.0% and T<sub>2</sub> 47.1%). Average levels of perceived usefulness and ease of use for the Vivofit4 and dashboard remained constant from T<sub>1</sub> to T<sub>2</sub>. Average daily PA scores decreased from T<sub>1</sub> to T<sub>2</sub> (4.9 to 4.5; <i>p</i> = 0.017). Conclusion: Participants were guarded about the value of the dashboard use and reported several challenges associated with the VPS program, but the free device and dashboard did provide PA support during the pandemic. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-30b143039f54463fb772f6f41b2a2bfa |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2220-9964 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information |
| spelling | doaj-art-30b143039f54463fb772f6f41b2a2bfa2024-12-27T14:30:09ZengMDPI AGISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information2220-99642024-12-01131245410.3390/ijgi13120454A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Wearable Technology: Findings from the Vivo Play Scientist (VPS) ProgramPatricia K. Doyle-Baker0Jennie A. Petersen1Dalia Ghoneim2Anita Blackstaffe3Calli Naish4Gavin R. McCormack5Human Performance Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaDepartment of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaDepartment of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaDepartment of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaDepartment of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaAlberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, a Canadian recreation centre launched a community-based intervention to increase physical activity (PA) and reduce sedentary behaviour (SB). The Vivo Play Scientist (VPS) program provided a free wearable device (Garmin Vivofit4) that synchronized with a customized eHealth dashboard. Aim: The study investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of the VPS program through the participants’ use and experiences of the device and dashboard using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Method: We employed a concurrent mixed-methods approach of online surveys and semi-structured telephone interviews and estimated the device and dashboard’s perceived usefulness and ease of use with TAM. Results: Of the 318 participants (mean age 39.8) 87 enrolled and completed the survey at baseline-T<sub>0</sub>, 4 wks-T<sub>1</sub>, and 8 wks-T<sub>2</sub>. Maximal-variation sampling was used to select 23 participants (78%, F) for interviews. We compared frequency of use, perceived usefulness and ease of use of the device and dashboard across all surveys using non-parametric statistical tests. A thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Participants had some experience using a wearable device (46%) or eHealth application (49%). A high use (≥4 d/wk.) of Vivofit4 at T<sub>1</sub> (93%) and T<sub>2</sub> (87%) occurred, but dashboard use was less frequent (≥1 d/wk. T<sub>1</sub> 54.0% and T<sub>2</sub> 47.1%). Average levels of perceived usefulness and ease of use for the Vivofit4 and dashboard remained constant from T<sub>1</sub> to T<sub>2</sub>. Average daily PA scores decreased from T<sub>1</sub> to T<sub>2</sub> (4.9 to 4.5; <i>p</i> = 0.017). Conclusion: Participants were guarded about the value of the dashboard use and reported several challenges associated with the VPS program, but the free device and dashboard did provide PA support during the pandemic.https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/13/12/454eHealthTechnology Acceptance Modelpublic healthonline technologywearable devicespandemic |
| spellingShingle | Patricia K. Doyle-Baker Jennie A. Petersen Dalia Ghoneim Anita Blackstaffe Calli Naish Gavin R. McCormack A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Wearable Technology: Findings from the Vivo Play Scientist (VPS) Program ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information eHealth Technology Acceptance Model public health online technology wearable devices pandemic |
| title | A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Wearable Technology: Findings from the Vivo Play Scientist (VPS) Program |
| title_full | A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Wearable Technology: Findings from the Vivo Play Scientist (VPS) Program |
| title_fullStr | A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Wearable Technology: Findings from the Vivo Play Scientist (VPS) Program |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Wearable Technology: Findings from the Vivo Play Scientist (VPS) Program |
| title_short | A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Wearable Technology: Findings from the Vivo Play Scientist (VPS) Program |
| title_sort | mixed methods evaluation of wearable technology findings from the vivo play scientist vps program |
| topic | eHealth Technology Acceptance Model public health online technology wearable devices pandemic |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/13/12/454 |
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