Setting Physical Activity Goals with a Virtual Coach: Vicarious Experiences, Personalization and Acceptance.

ABSTRACT: Goal-setting is often used in eHealth applications for behavior change as it motivates and helps to stay focused on a desired outcome. However, for goals to be effective, they need to meet criteria such as being specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound (SMART). Moreover, people need to be confident to reach their goal. We thus created a goal-setting dialog in which the virtual coach Jody guided people in setting SMART goals. Thereby, Jody provided personalized vicarious experiences by showing examples from other people who reached a goal to increase people's confidence. These experiences were personalized, as it is helpful to observe a relatable other succeed. Data from an online study with a between-subjects with pre-post measurement design (n=39 participants) provide cre

SUBMITTER: Albers N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9884656 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature