Developing and Pretesting a Text Messaging Program for Health Behavior Change: Recommended Steps.

Lorien C Abroms,Caroline Free,Jennifer M Schindler-Ruwisch,Judith Mendel Van Alstyne,Robyn Whittaker

doi:10.2196/mhealth.4917

Abstract

BackgroundA growing body of evidence demonstrates that text messaging-based programs (short message service [SMS]) on mobile phones can help people modify health behaviors. Most of these programs have consisted of automated and sometimes interactive text messages that guide a person through the process of behavior change.ObjectiveThis paper provides guidance on how to develop text messaging programs aimed at changing health behaviors.MethodsBased on their collective experience in designing, developing, and evaluating text messaging programs and a review of the literature, the authors drafted the guide. One author initially drafted the guide and the others provided input and review.ResultsSteps for developing a text messaging program include conducting formative research for insights into the target audience and health behavior, designing the text messaging program, pretesting the text messaging program concept and messages, and revising the text messaging program.ConclusionsThe steps outlined in this guide may help in the development of SMS-based behavior change programs.

Highlights

A growing body of evidence indicates that text messaging-based programs on mobile phones can help people modify health behaviors [1,2,3]
Text messaging programs related to health behaviors have been used in a variety of contexts including HIV prevention, medication adherence, pregnancy education, substance use/smoking cessation, weight loss, diabetes management, and depression [2,3]
Many of these programs have consisted of a series of automated and interactive text messages that guide a person through the process of behavior change

Summary

Introduction

A growing body of evidence indicates that text messaging-based programs (short message service [SMS]) on mobile phones can help people modify health behaviors [1,2,3]. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that text messaging-based programs (short message service [SMS]) on mobile phones can help people modify health behaviors. Most of these programs have consisted of automated and sometimes interactive text messages that guide a person through the process of behavior change. Conclusions: The steps outlined in this guide may help in the development of SMS-based behavior change programs

Objectives

Methods

Results