Behavior change techniques in mobile applications for sedentary behavior

ObjectiveMobile applications (apps) are increasingly being utilized in health behavior change interventions. To determine the presence of underlying behavior change mechanisms, apps for physical activity have been coded for behavior change techniques (BCTs). However, apps for sedentary behavior have yet to be assessed for BCTs. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to review apps designed to decrease sedentary time and determine the presence of BCTs.MethodsSystematic searches of the iTunes App and Google Play stores were completed using keyword searches. Two reviewers independently coded free (n = 36) and paid (n = 14) app descriptions using a taxonomy of 93 BCTs (December 2016–January 2017). A subsample (n = 4) of free apps were trialed for one week by the reviewers and coded for the presence of BCTs (February 2017).ResultsIn the free and paid app descriptions, only 10 of 93 BCTs were present with a mean of 2.42 BCTs (range 0–6) per app. The BCTs coded most frequently were “prompts/cues” (n = 43), “...