Table 6.
Behavior change recommendations that may improve acceptability.
| Behavior change methods [21-23] | Recommendations |
| Enactive mastery experiences [24]; set tasks on a gradient of difficulty [25] | Have the user start with a physical activity–related goal (eg, step count) that is comfortably accomplished and have goals incrementally increase over time |
| Consciousness raising [39] | Dispel commonly held misconception regarding barriers to physical activity by offering a digest of relevant literature (eg, address the misconception that physical activity is contraindicated if one is at risk for lymphedema) |
| Goal setting [40]; self and environmental reevaluation [39] | Encourage users to reflect on personal values during goal setting and the potential outcomes of behavior change from multiple perspectives; encourage users to create value-based goals for physical activity |
| Tailoring [39,41] | Maximize mHealth program potential to provide specific, personalized information relevant to the user; minimize participant data entry burden |
| Self-monitoring or feedback on behavior [42] | Go beyond simply presenting physical activity summary information; provide interpretation of personal physical activity data relevant to users’ health concerns and cancer experience |
| Stimulate communication to mobilize social support [43] | Feature private sharing outlet with personal friends and family, or match user to others who have experienced a similar cancer journey; avoid sharing indiscriminately to broader social network |
| Behavioral journalism [25,44] | Offer role model narratives that demonstrate that others, like the user, can overcome salient barriers and experience real benefits regarding physical activity |
| Guided practice [23] | Provide videos for recommended exercises that demonstrate proper technique and address personal physical limitations and health concerns; provide individualized feedback regarding user’s performance |
| Providing cues to action [45] | Offer periodic prompts to influence behavior by making it more salient in the mind of the user; allow the frequency of messaging to be determined by the user to minimize perceived burden |
| Verbal persuasion about capability; improving physical and emotional states [25] | Assume a casual tone from a trusted source; provide positive reinforcement by celebrating successes, and provide minimal negative content |