ORIGINAL PAPER
Effects of a mobile health intervention on health-related outcomes in Japanese office workers: a pilot study
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KDDI Research, Inc., Saitama, Japan
(Life Science Laboratories)
Online publication date: 2024-02-20
Corresponding author
Takumi Meguro
KDDI Research, Inc., Life Science Laboratories, 2-1-15 Ohara, Fujimino-shi, Saitama, 356-8502, Japan
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(2):153-64
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to explore the effects of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention based on the Persuasive System
Design (PSD) model on health-related outcomes among office workers. Material and Methods: The authors conducted a trial that consisted of
a 4-week baseline and an 8-week intervention period by reference to 23 office workers in a private research company. The mHealth application was
developed to improve these workers’ daily step count, decrease their sedentary time, and increase their sleep duration in accordance with the PSD
model. The app features included at least 1 principal factor from each of the 4 main categories of the PSD model (primary task support, dialogue support,
system credibility support, and social support). The objective health-related variables were measured using a smartwatch (Fitbit Luxe) that was
synchronized with the application using the Fitbit Web Application Programming Interface. Subjects used the app, which included self-monitoring,
personalized messages, education, and a competition system for users, during the intervention period. Results: Sedentary time exhibited a significant
decrease (a median reduction of 14 min/day, p < 0.05) during the intervention period. No significant differences in daily step count and sleep
duration were observed between the baseline and intervention periods. Conclusions: This study suggests that the mHealth intervention based on
the PSD model was useful for reducing sedentary time among office workers. Given that many previous studies on this topic have not been based
on any theories, future studies should investigate the impact of structured selection behavior change theories on health-related outcomes among
office workers. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(2):153–64