Abstract
BackgroundAn unhealthy eating pattern and loneliness negatively influence quality of life in older age. Embodied conversational agents (ECAs) are a promising way to address these health behaviors in an engaging manner.ObjectiveWe aim to (1) identify whether ECAs can persuade community-dwelling older adults to change their dietary behavior and whether ECA use can decrease loneliness, (2) test these pathways to effects, and (3) understand the use of an ECA.MethodsThe web-based eHealth app PACO is a fully automated 8-week intervention in which 2 ECAs engage older adults in dialogue to motivate them to change their dietary behavior and decrease their loneliness. PACO was developed via a human-centered and stakeholder-inclusive design approach and incorporates Self-determination Theory and various behavior change techniques. For this study, an unblinded randomized controlled trial will be performed. There will be 2 cohorts, with 30 participants per cohort. Participants in the first cohort will immediately receive the PACO app for 8 weeks, while participants in the second cohort receive the PACO app after a waiting-list condition of 4 weeks. Participants will be recruited via social media, an online panel, flyers, and advertorials. To be eligible, participants must be at least 65 years of age, must not be in paid employment, and must live alone independently at home. Primary outcomes will be self-assessed via online questionnaires at intake, control, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks, and will include eating behavior and loneliness. In addition, the primary outcome—use—will be measured via data logs. Secondary outcomes will be measured at the same junctures, via either validated, self-assessed, online questionnaires or an optional interview.ResultsAs of July 2020, we have begun recruiting participants.ConclusionsBy unraveling the mechanisms behind the use of a web-based intervention with ECAs, we hope to gain a fine-grained understanding of both the effectiveness and the use of ECAs in the health context.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04510883; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04510883International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/22186
Highlights
BackgroundUnhealthy eating and loneliness negatively influence quality of life (QoL) in older age [1,2]
In the Netherlands, over 50% of older adults indicate that they experience loneliness, a percentage that is even higher among people without a partner [8]
It is challenging to realize an actual change in eating behavior and deal with loneliness
Summary
Unhealthy eating and loneliness negatively influence quality of life (QoL) in older age [1,2]. Statistics show that in the Netherlands, almost 60% of people over 65 are obese [3], and 57% of community-dwelling older adults are at risk for undernutrition [4]. Both are important risk factors for chronic diseases and are clearly associated with unhealthy eating behaviors. In the Netherlands, over 50% of older adults indicate that they experience loneliness, a percentage that is even higher among people without a partner [8]. An unhealthy eating pattern and loneliness negatively influence quality of life in older age.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
