ArticleJMIR mHealth and uHealth2019
Behavior Change Techniques Incorporated in Fitness Trackers: Content Analysis.
Article in JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 27 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
27 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Associations Between the Use of Fitness and Diet Tracking Technology and Disordered Eating Behaviour: A Systematic Review.European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association · 2025Pooled it
- Considering User Experience and Behavioral Approaches in the Design of mHealth Interventions for Atrial Fibrillation: Systematic Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2024Pooled it
- Pooled it
- The effectiveness of physical activity interventions using activity trackers during or after inpatient care: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2022Pooled it
- Personal Activity Trackers and Family Engagement in a Pediatric Obesity Intervention: Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR formative research · 2025Trial
- Utilizing technology for diet and exercise change in complex chronic conditions across diverse environments (U-DECIDE): feasibility randomised controlled trial.BMC health services research · 2024Trial
- Acceptability of a remotely delivered sedentary behaviour intervention to improve sarcopenia and maintain independent living in older adults with frailty: a mixed-methods study.BMC geriatrics · 2024Article
- A Comprehensive Review of Behavior Change Techniques in Wearables and IoT: Implications for Health and Well-Being.Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Review
- How Could Sensor-Based Measurement of Physical Activity Be Used in Cardiovascular Healthcare?Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Review
- Understanding Physical Activity Determinants in an HIV Self-Management Intervention: Qualitative Analysis Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior.JMIR formative research · 2023Article
- Editorial: Use of smartphone applications to increase physical activity and fitness, volume II.Frontiers in public health · 2023Article
- The Use of Wearable Activity Trackers in Schools to Promote Child and Adolescent Physical Activity: A Descriptive Content Analysis of School Staff's Perspectives.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Article
- Digital Companion Choice to Support Teachers' Stress Self-management: Systematic Approach Through Taxonomy Creation.JMIR formative research · 2022Article
- Influence of upper limb activity on the step count and accuracy of sleep time of a wristband-type physical activity tracker.PloS one · 2022Article
- Smart wearable devices in cardiovascular care: where we are and how to move forward.Nature reviews. Cardiology · 2021Review
- Use of Fitbit Devices in Physical Activity Intervention Studies Across the Life Course: Narrative Review.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2021Review
- A Home-Based Mobile Health Intervention to Replace Sedentary Time With Light Physical Activity in Older Cancer Survivors: Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.JMIR cancer · 2021Article
- The Effect of Commercial Activity Tracker Based Physical Activity Intervention on Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Health Among Recent Retirees.Frontiers in aging · 2021Article
- Analysis of the Behavioral Change and Utility Features of Electronic Activity Monitors.Technologies · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe use of fitness trackers as tools of self-management to promote physical activity is increasing. However, the content of fitness trackers remains unexplored.
objectiveThe aim of this study was to use the Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy v1 (BCTTv1) to examine if swim-proof fitness trackers below Aus $150 (US$ 105) incorporate behavior change techniques (BCTs) that relate to self-management strategies to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior and to determine if content of the fitness trackers correspond to physical activity guidelines.
methodsA total of two raters used the BCTTv1 to code 6 fitness trackers that met the inclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria were the ability to track activity, be swim proof, be compatible with Android and Apple operating systems, and cost below Aus $150.
resultsAll fitness trackers contained BCTs known to promote physical activity, with the most frequently used BCTs overlapping with self-management strategies, including goal setting, self-monitoring, and feedback on behavior. Fitbit Flex 2 (Fitbit Inc) contained the most BCTs at 20. Huawei Band 2 Pro (Huawei Technologies) and Misfit Shine 2 (Fossil Group) contained the least BCTs at 11.
conclusionsFitness trackers contain evidence-based BCTs that overlap with self-management strategies, which have been shown to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior. Fitness trackers offer the prospect for physical activity interventions that are cost-effective and easily accessed by a wide population.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.