Do nudges work? : using personal normative message in mHealth intervention to dissuade from physical inactivity

Abstract

<div lang="en" class="abs"><p class="abs_header">Abstract</p><p>Physical inactivity leads to a high risk of medical complications and triggering substantial health care expenses. The goal of the project within which the research is conducted is to explore the effect of the use of nudges to dissuade individuals from physical inactivity. This study is aimed to design and develop a zero/low-cost nudging mHealth intervention that allows users to check their time with normative messages when walking. This intervention is then utilised for individuals to investigate whether it stimulates physical activity. The design of the nudging intervention is followed by an iterative Design Thinking process. The result of the pilot study has shown us that participants highlighted personal normative message installed as a screensaver in a smartphone as a zero-cost solution to dissuade their physical inactivity. Our future effort is to access this intervention by experimental design studies with quantitative and qualitative surveys, which will be carried out with students to measure physical activity behavioural change.</p></div>