Reasons to Be Satisfied or Dissatisfied With a Virtual Coach for Quitting Smoking and Becoming More Physically Active: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

A virtual coach, Sam, was created by the Perfect Fit project to aid users in establishing a foundation to stop smoking via the means of making them more physically active. Data from 500 users had been collected from them during stages which start with a pre-screening phase until a post-questionnaire phase. In the latter stage, they provided a...

Reasons to continue or stop using a virtual coach for quitting smoking and increasing physical activity: A mixed-methods analysis

The increase in health problems due to smoking or lack of physical activity has created the incentive to develop a virtual coach to help people with smoking cessation and increase physical activity. In this study, a mixed-methods analysis (thematic analysis, quantitative analysis, and a literature study) was carried out to find out what the...

Eases and Difficulties of Talking to a Virtual Coach for Quitting Smoking and Becoming More Physically Active: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

As the awareness of the risks of smoking tobacco increased, usage declined as people started to attempt to quit smoking more. Currently, a wide variety of mobile health (mHealth) applications focused on smoking cessation exist, however users commonly quit these applications over time. In the case of Sam, a conversational agent that plays the...

Acceptance of a virtual coach for quitting smoking and becoming more physically active: A thematic analysis: Traits for a virtual coach to be a ”friend”

Seeing the virtual coach as a friend is beneficial as it increases the motivation, confidence, and perseverance of the accompanying. Here, an investigation has taken place to what characteristics the virtual coach must possess to establish this friendly relationship. Thus, the main research question is: What are the reasons for seeing the...

Acceptance of a Virtual Coach as Guided Intervention for Smoking Cessation: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

As guided interventions are seen as more effective compared to unguided interventions and because the use of eHealth applications is rising over the years, the need to study the effects of a virtual coach as a substitute for guided interventions was created. A virtual coach does not cost as much time and money as a real coach and would thus be...

Goal-setting dialogue for physical activity with a virtual coach

Lack of physical activity is one of the main risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Although most people are aware of the risks of this poor health behavior, they have a hard time improving this behavior. Goal-setting is an effective step in the process of changing behavior. It can motivate a person and help them to remain...

Everyday Locations as Cues to Smoke: Personalized Environments in Virtual Reality to Elicit Smoking Cravings

Smoking is a leading risk factor negatively impacting the health of people, not only those partaking in it first-hand, but also to those around them. Different methods are available to assist people with quitting smoking, with various degrees of effectiveness. Researchers developing smoking cessation approaches would like to have controlled...

Motivating, your way: Tailoring your fitness journey

A significant cardiovascular health risk is insufficient physical activity. The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of strenuous physical activity every week. Inadequate physical activity increases the risk of chronic diseases and other health conditions like cholesterol and obesity. This thesis researches the role of data...