Perfect Fit: Evaluation of a Virtual Coach for Smoking Cessation and Physical Activity

The leading cause of disease burden across the globe is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Important modifiable behavioral CVD risk factors include, amongst others, smoking and low physical activity (PA). Individuals with a low socioeconomic position (SEP) often have a less favorable profile of risk factors, resulting in a higher disease burden and premature death. There is a need for cost-effective multi-behavior interventions that target one or more risk factors. eHealth applications are increasingly being used to offer behavior change interventions. Potential benefits include accessibility, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and increased disease self-management. However, eHealth interventions are often static and thereby less effective, and also frequently developed without (sufficiently) engaging end-users. Involving end-users, including those from lower SEP groups, and other relevant stakeholders can help to optimize the adoption and adherence to the eHealth intervention and result in the maintenance of healthy behavior.

The Perfect Fit intervention is the result of interdisciplinary collaboration, and the personalized eHealth intervention supports adult smokers to stop smoking and increase their PA using a virtual coach. We primarily aim to examine the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of the Perfect Fit intervention.

A mixed-method single-arm pre-post intervention study will be used. The intervention, delivered through a virtual coach, has a personalized duration and intensity, but will last on average 16 weeks.