Persuasive Computing for Promoting Healthy Behavior
Date Issued
2016
Date
2016
Author(s)
Chen, Yong-Xiang
Abstract
In recent years, many Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) researchers have proposed behavior change strategies and developed persuasion systems for promoting healthy behaviors. The goal of this dissertation is to design persuasion systems that include gaming and social influence components. Persuasive computing systems can assist in the treatment of chronic disease and help individuals engage in a healthier lifestyle. The main contributions of this dissertation include: (1) The development of a motion-sensing, asynchronous 1-on-1 competition gaming system to motivate users to stretch. This system proved to increase daily stretch duration by 20 percent in target populations (2) The development of a novel mobile application system to assist users in Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). The system benefitted patients by enhancing their adherence to their CBT-I program and decreased the difficulty that therapists experienced when tailoring a therapy plan for their patient. (3) We designed a point-consuming social game to enhance the effectiveness of gamification strategy. This was accomplished through making the activity points accumulated by the user more meaningful. The game not only provided diversity in the gameplay experience, but increased social interactions among team members.
Subjects
Persuasion system
Gamification
Social influence
Social game
Stretch
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for insomnia
SDGs
Type
thesis