Research has shown that physical activity can reduce these risks and support overall health. However, only 16% of patients in Sweden with cardiovascular diseases completed a prescribed exercise program, according to research from 2024.
Most people know that it is good to move your body and reduce sedentary behavior. But becoming more physically active requires behavior changes. One of the most researched and effective methods is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Internet-based CBT (iCBT) has also shown to be cost-effective and flexible. iCBT includes for example psychoeducation, goal-setting strategies, mindfulness exercises, exposure techniques, behavioral activation, and problem solving. To give more knowledge, motivation, and individual support Digital Twins (DTs) can be a visual help. DTs are virtual representations of an individual’s body, where general information about physiology and biomedicine is combined with personal data, that for example can simulate what happens in the body in response to behavioral changes such as physical activity. Our project aims at combining DTs and iCBT to improve individuals’ self-care and accessibility for support and increase their physical activity, motivation, and understanding for behavioral changes. Help people feel better.
2. Interviews with participants from the pilot study to explore the experiences of the app among users
3. Improve the app based on the results from study one and two, and then evaluate the effects of the app in a randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Most people know that it is good to move your body and reduce sedentary behavior. But becoming more physically active requires behavior changes. One of the most researched and effective methods is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Internet-based CBT (iCBT) has also shown to be cost-effective and flexible. iCBT includes for example psychoeducation, goal-setting strategies, mindfulness exercises, exposure techniques, behavioral activation, and problem solving. To give more knowledge, motivation, and individual support Digital Twins (DTs) can be a visual help. DTs are virtual representations of an individual’s body, where general information about physiology and biomedicine is combined with personal data, that for example can simulate what happens in the body in response to behavioral changes such as physical activity. Our project aims at combining DTs and iCBT to improve individuals’ self-care and accessibility for support and increase their physical activity, motivation, and understanding for behavioral changes. Help people feel better.
The project consists of three sub-studies:
1. Further develop plus a pilot study of an app with DTs and an iCBT-based program2. Interviews with participants from the pilot study to explore the experiences of the app among users
3. Improve the app based on the results from study one and two, and then evaluate the effects of the app in a randomized controlled trial (RCT)
