Abstract
BackgroundIntelligent personal assistants such as Amazon Echo and Google Home have become increasingly integrated into the home setting and, therefore, may facilitate behavior change via novel interactions or as an adjunct to conventional interventions. However, little is currently known about their potential role in this context.ObjectiveThis feasibility study aims to develop the Intelligent Personal Assistant Project (IPAP) and assess the acceptability and feasibility of this technology for promoting and maintaining physical activity and other health-related behaviors in both parents and children.MethodsThis pilot feasibility study was conducted in 2 phases. For phase 1, families who were attending a community-based weight management project were invited to participate, whereas phase 2 recruited families not currently receiving any additional intervention. Families were randomly allocated to either the intervention group (received a smart speaker for use in the family home) or the control group. The IPAP intervention aimed to promote positive health behaviors in the family setting through utilization of the functions of a smart speaker and its linked intelligent personal assistant. Data were collected on recruitment, retention, outcome measures, intervention acceptability, device interactions, and usage.ResultsIn total, 26 families with at least one child aged 5 to 12 years were recruited, with 23 families retained at follow-up. Across phase 1 of the intervention, families interacted with the intelligent personal assistant a total of 65 times. Although device interactions across phase 2 of the intervention were much higher (312 times), only 10.9% (34/312) of interactions were coded as relevant (related to diet, physical activity or well-being). Focus groups highlighted that the families found the devices acceptable and easy to use and felt that the prompts or reminders were useful in prompting healthier behaviors. Some further intervention refinements in relation to the timing of prompts and integrating feedback alongside the devices were suggested by families.ConclusionsUsing intelligent personal assistants to deliver health-related messages and information within the home is feasible, with high levels of engagement reported by participating families. This novel feasibility study highlights important methodological considerations that should inform future trials testing the effectiveness of intelligent personal assistants in promoting positive health-related behaviors.Trial RegistrationISRCTN Registry ISRCTN16792534; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN16792534
Highlights
The high incidence of childhood obesity has been well documented, with 29% of children aged 2 to 15 years in England [1] and one-fourth of children living in Northern Ireland [2] classified as overweight or obese
This novel feasibility study highlights important methodological considerations that should inform future trials testing the effectiveness of intelligent personal assistants in promoting positive health-related behaviors
Within this pilot feasibility study, we aimed to evaluate the potential of intelligent personal assistants for promoting and maintaining physical activity and other health-related behaviors in both parents and children
Summary
The high incidence of childhood obesity has been well documented, with 29% of children aged 2 to 15 years in England [1] and one-fourth of children living in Northern Ireland [2] classified as overweight or obese. Research has highlighted the need for interventions that target children within the home environment [10], which encourages positive behaviors before children progress into adolescence and develop more autonomy over their health choices and the influence of the family context wanes [10]. A recent meta-analysis identified 19 family-based interventions targeting physical activity, with 66% of included studies reporting a positive effect on physical activity [12]. This is in contrast to the lower levels of effect noted in reviews of school-based interventions [13,14]. Little is currently known about their potential role in this context
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