Optimizing Testimonials for Behavior Change in a Digital Intervention for Binge Eating: Human-Centered Design Study
Abstract BackgroundTestimonials from credible sources are an evidence-based strategy for behavior change. Behavioral health interventions have used testimonials to promote health behaviors (eg, physical activity and healthy eating). Integrating testimonials into eating disorde...
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JMIR Publications
2025-03-01
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| Series: | JMIR Formative Research |
| Online Access: | https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e59691 |
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| author | Isabel R Rooper Adrian Ortega Thomas A Massion Tanvi Lakhtakia Macarena Kruger Leah M Parsons Lindsay D Lipman Chidiebere Azubuike Emily Tack Katrina T Obleada Andrea K Graham |
| author_facet | Isabel R Rooper Adrian Ortega Thomas A Massion Tanvi Lakhtakia Macarena Kruger Leah M Parsons Lindsay D Lipman Chidiebere Azubuike Emily Tack Katrina T Obleada Andrea K Graham |
| author_sort | Isabel R Rooper |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Abstract
BackgroundTestimonials from credible sources are an evidence-based strategy for behavior change. Behavioral health interventions have used testimonials to promote health behaviors (eg, physical activity and healthy eating). Integrating testimonials into eating disorder (ED) interventions poses a nuanced challenge because ED testimonials can promote ED behaviors. Testimonials in ED interventions must therefore be designed carefully. Some optimal design elements of testimonials are known, but questions remain about testimonial speakers, messaging, and delivery, especially for ED interventions.
ObjectiveWe sought to learn how to design and deliver testimonials focused on positive behavior change strategies within our multisession digital binge eating intervention.
MethodsWe applied human-centered design methods to learn users’ preferences for testimonial speakers, messaging, and delivery (modalities, over time, and as “nudges” for selecting positive behavior change strategies they could practice). We recruited target users of our multisession intervention to complete design sessions. Adults (N=22, 64% self-identified as female; 32% as non-Hispanic Black, 41% as non-Hispanic White, and 27% as Hispanic) with recurrent binge eating and obesity completed individual interviews. Data were analyzed using methods from thematic analysis.
ResultsMost participants preferred designs with testimonials (vs without) for their motivation and validation of the intervention’s efficacy. A few distrusted testimonials for appearing too “commercial” or personally irrelevant. For speakers, participants preferred sociodemographically tailored testimonials and were willing to report personal data in the intervention to facilitate tailoring. For messaging, some preferred testimonials with “how-to” advice, whereas others preferred “big picture” success stories. For delivery interface, participants were interested in text, video, and multimedia testimonials. For delivery over time, participants preferred testimonials from new speakers to promote engagement. When the intervention allowed users to choose between actions (eg, behavioral strategies), participants preferred testimonials to be available across all actions but said that selectively delivering a testimonial with one action could “nudge” them to select it.
ConclusionsResults indicated that intervention users were interested in testimonials. While participants preferred sociodemographically tailored testimonials, they said different characteristics mattered to them, indicating that interventions should assess users’ most pertinent identities and tailor testimonials accordingly. Likewise, users’ divided preferences for testimonial messaging (ie, “big picture” vs “how-to”) suggest that optimal messaging may differ by user. To improve the credibility of testimonials, which some participants distrusted, interventions could invite current users to submit testimonials for future integration in the intervention. Aligned with nudge theory, our findings indicate testimonials could be used as “nudges” within interventions—a ripe area for further inquiry—though future work should test if delivering a testimonial only with the nudged choice improves its uptake. Further research is needed to validate these design ideas in practice, including evaluating their impact on behavior change toward improving ED behaviors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-875fbaeb62a3436e8259e93c29d7b84b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2561-326X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Formative Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-875fbaeb62a3436e8259e93c29d7b84b2025-08-20T02:10:02ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Formative Research2561-326X2025-03-019e59691e5969110.2196/59691Optimizing Testimonials for Behavior Change in a Digital Intervention for Binge Eating: Human-Centered Design StudyIsabel R Rooperhttp://orcid.org/0009-0001-4438-1816Adrian Ortegahttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-1003-2156Thomas A Massionhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-0381-9850Tanvi Lakhtakiahttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-2470-7716Macarena Krugerhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-3451-0829Leah M Parsonshttp://orcid.org/0009-0000-6163-6756Lindsay D Lipmanhttp://orcid.org/0009-0008-1677-0567Chidiebere Azubuikehttp://orcid.org/0009-0004-3331-9293Emily Tackhttp://orcid.org/0009-0006-1944-528XKatrina T Obleadahttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-1364-0624Andrea K Grahamhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-9736-8906 Abstract BackgroundTestimonials from credible sources are an evidence-based strategy for behavior change. Behavioral health interventions have used testimonials to promote health behaviors (eg, physical activity and healthy eating). Integrating testimonials into eating disorder (ED) interventions poses a nuanced challenge because ED testimonials can promote ED behaviors. Testimonials in ED interventions must therefore be designed carefully. Some optimal design elements of testimonials are known, but questions remain about testimonial speakers, messaging, and delivery, especially for ED interventions. ObjectiveWe sought to learn how to design and deliver testimonials focused on positive behavior change strategies within our multisession digital binge eating intervention. MethodsWe applied human-centered design methods to learn users’ preferences for testimonial speakers, messaging, and delivery (modalities, over time, and as “nudges” for selecting positive behavior change strategies they could practice). We recruited target users of our multisession intervention to complete design sessions. Adults (N=22, 64% self-identified as female; 32% as non-Hispanic Black, 41% as non-Hispanic White, and 27% as Hispanic) with recurrent binge eating and obesity completed individual interviews. Data were analyzed using methods from thematic analysis. ResultsMost participants preferred designs with testimonials (vs without) for their motivation and validation of the intervention’s efficacy. A few distrusted testimonials for appearing too “commercial” or personally irrelevant. For speakers, participants preferred sociodemographically tailored testimonials and were willing to report personal data in the intervention to facilitate tailoring. For messaging, some preferred testimonials with “how-to” advice, whereas others preferred “big picture” success stories. For delivery interface, participants were interested in text, video, and multimedia testimonials. For delivery over time, participants preferred testimonials from new speakers to promote engagement. When the intervention allowed users to choose between actions (eg, behavioral strategies), participants preferred testimonials to be available across all actions but said that selectively delivering a testimonial with one action could “nudge” them to select it. ConclusionsResults indicated that intervention users were interested in testimonials. While participants preferred sociodemographically tailored testimonials, they said different characteristics mattered to them, indicating that interventions should assess users’ most pertinent identities and tailor testimonials accordingly. Likewise, users’ divided preferences for testimonial messaging (ie, “big picture” vs “how-to”) suggest that optimal messaging may differ by user. To improve the credibility of testimonials, which some participants distrusted, interventions could invite current users to submit testimonials for future integration in the intervention. Aligned with nudge theory, our findings indicate testimonials could be used as “nudges” within interventions—a ripe area for further inquiry—though future work should test if delivering a testimonial only with the nudged choice improves its uptake. Further research is needed to validate these design ideas in practice, including evaluating their impact on behavior change toward improving ED behaviors.https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e59691 |
| spellingShingle | Isabel R Rooper Adrian Ortega Thomas A Massion Tanvi Lakhtakia Macarena Kruger Leah M Parsons Lindsay D Lipman Chidiebere Azubuike Emily Tack Katrina T Obleada Andrea K Graham Optimizing Testimonials for Behavior Change in a Digital Intervention for Binge Eating: Human-Centered Design Study JMIR Formative Research |
| title | Optimizing Testimonials for Behavior Change in a Digital Intervention for Binge Eating: Human-Centered Design Study |
| title_full | Optimizing Testimonials for Behavior Change in a Digital Intervention for Binge Eating: Human-Centered Design Study |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing Testimonials for Behavior Change in a Digital Intervention for Binge Eating: Human-Centered Design Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing Testimonials for Behavior Change in a Digital Intervention for Binge Eating: Human-Centered Design Study |
| title_short | Optimizing Testimonials for Behavior Change in a Digital Intervention for Binge Eating: Human-Centered Design Study |
| title_sort | optimizing testimonials for behavior change in a digital intervention for binge eating human centered design study |
| url | https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e59691 |
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