Table 3.

Final app behavior change scale, including examples.

Scale: item number and question			Definition	Example or further information	Source of question (from Table 1)
1. Knowledge and information
	1.1	Does the app have the ability to customize and personalize some features?	Elements of the app can be personalized through specific tools or functions that are specific to the individual using the app.	To select a disease type from among several available and then to follow a specific path or set of tools or systems. To select to receive emails or texts of a specific nature. To choose “yes” or “no” to a specific capability of the app would be considered personalization. To create a personalized exercise plan.	[44,54]
	1.2	Was the app created with expertise and/or Does the app provide information that is consistent with national guidelines?	This would be found in the about section or generally in the app.	Does the app suggest 30 min of exercise each day? Does it recommend 5 veg and 3 fruit? Does it seek to build resilience and promote help seeking? Is there any evidence that the app was created by an expert? (doctor/professional body/university)	[44,54]
	1.3	Does the app ask for baseline information?	This includes BMIa, weight, smoking rate, exercise, or drinking behaviors	This might be at the set-up phase or in a profile setting.	[28,85]
	1.4	Does the app provide instruction on how to perform the behavior?	The app is clear in telling the person how to perform a behavior or preparatory behaviors, either verbally, through video, or in written form. NB: the behavior that is seeking to be changed, not information on how to use the app	This could include showing person how to use gym equipment, sharing sample plans for action, instruction on suitable clothing, recipes, and general tips.	[20,21,22,81]
	1.5	Does the app provide information about the consequences of continuing and/or discontinuing behavior?	The app gives the user information about the consequences of behavior in general, this includes information about the relationship between the behavior and its possible or likely consequences in the general case. This information can be general or personalized.	Consequences may include health, feelings, or cost consequences.	[22,81]
2. Goals and planning
	2.1	Does the app ask for willingness for behavior change?	Is there a feature during setup where you describe how ready you are for behavior change?	This may be in the form of a scale of readiness or in a question that asks the user to describe how ready you are.	[17,85]
	2.2	Does the app allow for the setting of goals?	The person is encouraged to make a behavioral resolution. The person is encouraged to set a general goal that can be achieved by behavioral means. This includes subgoals or preparatory behaviors and/or specific contexts in which the behavior will be performed. The behavior in this technique will be directly related to or be a necessary condition for the target behavior.	This is the explicit noting of a goal or choosing a goal from one provided within the app.	[20,21,40,44,54,55,81]
	2.3	Does the app have the ability to review goals, update, and change when necessary?	Involves a review or analysis of the extent to which previously set behavioral goals (regardless of short or long) were achieved.	This is where a goal can be changed. This allows people to act on previously set goals and then revise or adjust where needed.	[22,40,81]
3. Feedback and monitoring
	3.1	Does the app give the user the ability to quickly and easily understand the difference between current action and future goals?	Allows user to see how they are tracking against a goal and to see the difference between what they want to do and what they are currently doing. This will give some feedback on where they are at and what they need to change to get to where they want to be.	This could be in the form of a graph or some other visual describing how close the user is to meeting their goals.	[22,40,81]
	3.2	Does the app have the ability to allow the user to easily self-monitor behavior?	The app allows for a regular monitoring of the activity.	Connects with watch that records daily steps that can be reviewed. Allows for easy logging of exercise or meditation? Allows for tracking of weight loss. Allows logging of daily alcoholic drinks or cigarettes.	[20,21]
	3.3	Does the app have the ability to share behaviors with others (including social media or forums) and/or allow for social comparison?	The app allows the person to share his or her behaviors on social media or in forums. This could also include a buddy system or a leaderboard.	Share with Facebook or other socials Tell the user that they are doing x and at this time, other people like them are doing y	[4,20,21,22,85]
	3.4	Does the app have the ability to give the user feedback—either from a person or automatically?	The app is able to provide the person with feedback, comments, or data about their own recorded behavior. This might be automatic or could be personal.	Does the app have a coach function?	[22,40,81]
	3.5	Does the app have the ability to export data from app?	The app allows for the export of information and progress to an external user.	Export to a computer or to another user such as a doctor or fitness expert. Sharing to Facebook does not count.	[65]
	3.6	Does the app provide a material or social reward or incentive?	App provides rewards for attempts at achieving a behavioral goal. This might include efforts made toward achieving the behavior or progress made in preparatory steps toward the behavior or in achieving a goal.	Financial, either in returning money that was not spent on, for example, cigarettes or in paying someone to engage in a specific activity. Social or public, for example, congratulating the person for each day that he or she meets his or her exercise target.	[22,40,81]
	3.7	Does the app provide general encouragement?	The app provides general encouragement and positive reinforcement on actions leading to the goal.	This could include achievement badges or telling the user that they are a certain percentage closer to their goal.	[22,40,81]
4. Actions
	4.1	Does the app have reminders and/or prompts or cues for activity?	The app prompts the user to engage in the activity. The app has the ability to give notifications or reminders to cue the behavior.	This could be like the apple watch reminding you to stand or a meditation app telling you to meditate now.	[20,21]
	4.2	Does the app encourage positive habit formation?	The app prompts explicit rehearsal and repetition of the behavior–not just tracking or logging.	An example of this are the couch to 5 km apps that provide a training schedule.	[21,22,81]
	4.3	Does the app allow or encourage for practice or rehearsal, in addition to daily activities?	App does not have a lock on activities or a number that you cannot exceed daily.	This would include allowing the user to undertake extra activities in a single day.	[20,21]
	4.4	Does the app provide opportunity to plan for barriers?	The app encourages the person to think about potential barriers and identify ways of overcoming them.	Alcohol app might give strategies for a night out that would normally be a big night.	[55]
	4.5	Does the app assist with or suggest restructuring the physical or social environment?	The app prompts the person to alter the environment in ways so that it is more supportive of the target behavior.	Might suggest locking up or throw away or their high-calorie snacks or take their running shoes to work.	[21,22,81]
	4.6	Does the app assists with distraction or avoidance?	The app gives suggestions and advice on how the person can avoid situations or distract themselves when trying to reach their goal.	For example, a smoking cessation app may suggest that the user not drink coffee if this is typically combined with smoking behaviors that they are trying to cease.	[21,22,81]