TY - JOUR
T1 - A novel inexpensive use of smartphone technology for ecological momentary assessment in middle-aged women
AU - Ehlers, Diane K.
AU - Huberty, Jennifer
AU - Buman, Matthew
AU - Hooker, Steven
AU - Todd, Michael
AU - De Vreede, Gert Jan
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Human Kinetics, Inc.
PY - 2016/3
Y1 - 2016/3
N2 - Background: Commercially available mobile and Internet technologies present a promising opportunity to feasibly conduct ecological momentary assessment (EMA). The purpose of this study was to describe a novel EMA protocol administered on middle-aged women's smartphones via text messaging and mobile Internet. Methods: Women (N = 9; mean age = 46.2 ± 8.2 y) received 35 text message prompts to a mobile survey assessing activity, self-worth, and self-efficacy over 14 days. Prompts were scheduled and surveys were administered using commercial, Internet-based programs. Prompting was tailored to each woman's daily wake/sleep schedule. Women concurrently wore a wristworn accelerometer. Feasibility was assessed via survey completion, accelerometer wear, participant feedback, and researcher notes. Results: Of 315 prompted surveys, 287 responses were valid (91.1%). Average completion time was 1.52 ± 1.03 minutes. One participant's activity data were excluded due to accelerometer malfunction, resulting in complete data from 8 participants (n = 252 [80.0%] valid observations). Women reported the survey was easily and quickly read/completed. However, most thought the accelerometer was inconvenient. Conclusions: High completion rates and perceived usability suggest capitalizing on widely available technology and tailoring prompting schedules may optimize EMA in middle-aged women. However, researchers may need to carefully select objective monitors to maintain data validity while limiting participant burden.
AB - Background: Commercially available mobile and Internet technologies present a promising opportunity to feasibly conduct ecological momentary assessment (EMA). The purpose of this study was to describe a novel EMA protocol administered on middle-aged women's smartphones via text messaging and mobile Internet. Methods: Women (N = 9; mean age = 46.2 ± 8.2 y) received 35 text message prompts to a mobile survey assessing activity, self-worth, and self-efficacy over 14 days. Prompts were scheduled and surveys were administered using commercial, Internet-based programs. Prompting was tailored to each woman's daily wake/sleep schedule. Women concurrently wore a wristworn accelerometer. Feasibility was assessed via survey completion, accelerometer wear, participant feedback, and researcher notes. Results: Of 315 prompted surveys, 287 responses were valid (91.1%). Average completion time was 1.52 ± 1.03 minutes. One participant's activity data were excluded due to accelerometer malfunction, resulting in complete data from 8 participants (n = 252 [80.0%] valid observations). Women reported the survey was easily and quickly read/completed. However, most thought the accelerometer was inconvenient. Conclusions: High completion rates and perceived usability suggest capitalizing on widely available technology and tailoring prompting schedules may optimize EMA in middle-aged women. However, researchers may need to carefully select objective monitors to maintain data validity while limiting participant burden.
KW - Measurement
KW - Methods
KW - Physical activity assessment
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U2 - 10.1123/jpah.2015-0059
DO - 10.1123/jpah.2015-0059
M3 - Article
C2 - 26284689
AN - SCOPUS:84969211129
SN - 1543-3080
VL - 13
SP - 262
EP - 268
JO - Journal of Physical Activity and Health
JF - Journal of Physical Activity and Health
IS - 3
ER -