The Effectiveness of Push Notifications and Rewards on App-based Program for Promoting Walking Among College Students

Created on 17th January 2022

Conference: The Asian Conference on Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences (ACP2022)
Title: The Effectiveness of Push Notifications and Rewards on App-based Program for Promoting Walking Among College Students
Stream: Qualitative/Quantitative Research in any other area of Psychology
Presentation Type: Virtual Poster Presentation
Authors:
Youngseo Park, Yonsei University, South Korea
Minwoo Jo, Yonsei University, South Korea
Kyong-Mee Chung, Yonsei University, South Korea

Abstract:

Behavioral strategies have been incorporated into mobile application programs to promote health behavior, yet their effectiveness has not been well examined. This study investigates whether push notifications and rewards applied in a mobile application program could increase users’ step counts and standing behaviors, and whether increases in step counts differ upon baseline step counts. A total of 114 college students were randomly assigned into four conditions depending on existence of push notifications and rewards: 2(push notification & no push notification) x 2(rewards & no rewards). After collecting their step counts data for 7 days, participants were grouped into four based on step counts: 0~1,999, 2,000~3,999, 4000~5,999, 6000~8,000. Both step counts and standing behaviors were measured for 21 days. The results showed no significant interaction effects between push notifications and rewards, but the main effect of rewards was found. In addition, step counts of a group that walks 2,000~3,999 were increased the most after 21 days of training. These results suggest that the use of rewards is important in mobile programs for promoting walking. Also, in terms of target groups, mobile programs could be more effective for those who walk between 2,000~3,999 steps in the baseline. Implications and suggestions were discussed.