Development of a web-based intervention (eMotion) based on behavioural activation to promote physical activity in people with depression

Abstract

Increasing physical activity in people with depression may have the dual benefit of targeting mental and physical health outcomes (Faulkner & Taylor, 2012). This paper describes the development and theoretical framework for a web-based behavioural activation (BA) intervention, which specifically promotes physical activity (eMotion). The Centre for eHealth Research and Disease Management (CeHReS) roadmap (van Gemert-Pijnen et al., 2011) was used to guide the process of adapting an existing face to face intervention based on BA and physical activity (BAcPAc) (Farrand et al., 2014) to be used in an online context. The CeHReS roadmap promotes active stakeholder involvement and helped to ensure that key user needs were being catered to along the developmental process. Details about the background of the intervention are provided, including the theoretical framework. A detailed description of how eMotion was operationalised (in line with TIDieR guidelines (Hoffmann et al., 2014)) is also provided. eMotion aims to offer person-centred support through optimising engagement in web-based support, building on the previous BAcPAc trial.