Background: Web-based interventions are thought to overcome barriers to treatment, such as accessibility and geographical location, which can undermine the effectiveness of traditional face-to-face interventions. Owing to these features, researchers are increasingly testing the efficacy of web-based interventions as ways to reduce alcohol misuse, binge eating, and gambling. However, many web-based interventions have poorly defined mechanisms of action; therefore, it is often uncertain how they propose to bring about behavior change. Objective: This systematic review aims to identify effective behavior change techniques (BCTs) present in web-based interventions aimed at reducing alcohol consumption, binge eating, or gambling. Methods: This systematic review covered research conducted in the last 20 years. Inclusion criteria for interventions were web-based administration; targeting alcohol use, binge eating, and/or gambling; and reporting on baseline and postintervention measures of behavior. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines were followed. We coded intervention effectiveness, study quality, and BCTs present in the interventions. Results: Following removal of 4152 ineligible articles, 45 were included in the review: 32 (71%) targeted alcohol misuse, 6 (13%) targeted binge eating, and 7 (16%) targeted gambling. In total, 5 frequency counts were performed to identify the most commonly used BCTs: all studies, effective interventions, high-quality studies at 2 thresholds, and both high quality and effective studies. The results obtained from this were integrated to identify 7 BCTs. These 7 BCTs were problem solving, feedback on behavior, self-monitoring of behavior, self-monitoring of outcomes, instruction on how to perform a behavior, information about social and health consequences, and social comparison. A total of 4 BCTs were found in all frequency counts: feedback on behavior, self-monitoring of behavior, instruction on how to perform a behavior, and social comparison. Self-monitoring of outcomes of behavior was found in 3 of the 5 frequency counts, problem solving was found in 2 frequency counts, and information about social and health consequences was found in 1 frequency count. Conclusions: This systematic review identified 7 of the most frequently used BCTs used in web-based interventions focused on alcohol misuse, binge eating, and gambling. These results can inform the development of evidence-based eHealth interventions that have the potential to lead to effective, positive behavior changes in all 3 areas.

Wearable activity trackers have been recognised as effective tools for physical activity promotion, leading to their integration in healthcare services. Although, some qualitative literature indicated that device users may experience internal conflict. The current study is the first of our knowledge to directly examine the conflict faced by wearable activity tracker users. A qualitative, exploratory design was followed, with inductive thematic analysis conducted on semi-structured interview transcripts. The current study consisted of 11 regular wearable activity tracker users (8 female), aged between 18–59 years (M = 30.73). Four themes and nine sub-themes captured participants’ internal conflict. Themes were; Who knows best? Who’s in charge? Who am I without it? And What is happening to me?. Themes highlighted that device users faced conflict around navigating a data mismatch, how a wearable activity tracker impacted their behaviour, the amount of control a tracker had over them, whether their device use was positive, and how they would act and feel if they no longer used their wearable activity tracker. Participants experienced substantial internal conflict from wearable activity tracker use. The intensity of device-user relationship was clear, suggesting device dependency and perceived device importance. Findings hold crucial implications around the integration of activity trackers in healthcare services, recommendations around healthy use, and the potential long-term negative impact of using these devices on bodily intuition. Theoretical underpinnings remain unclear around wearable activity tracker use; results suggested blurred boundaries between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation - likely due to device embodiment - and highlighted the role of pressure in driving increased physical activity.

Background: According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), long COVID refers to symptoms persisting for four weeks or more after acute infection, with over 100 identified, including fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and breathlessness. Women aged 45–54 are disproportionately affected, overlapping with the typical age for perimenopause and menopause. This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of existing research on the intersection between long COVID and the menopausal transition. Methods: Five database (CINAHL ultimate, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, and Scopus) searches yielded 387 articles; after removing 40 duplicates and screening 347 titles and abstracts, fourteen studies were reviewed in full, with seven meeting the inclusion criteria (examined both long COVID and menopause in their scope and are written in English language). Results: This scoping review identified a significant symptomatic overlap between long COVID and menopause reported by participants, particularly fatigue, cognitive difficulties, mood changes, and sleep disturbances. Preliminary evidence also suggests that hormonal fluctuations may influence symptom severity, though biological mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. Methodological limitations restrict generalisability, underscoring the need for longitudinal symptom tracking, diverse samples, and biomarker-informed studies. Recognising the intersection of long COVID and menopausal transition is essential for improving assessment, management, and targeted care for affected women.

Background: Long COVID affects an estimated 400 million worldwide. Individuals with long COVID face a range of fluctuating and often debilitating symptoms including myalgia, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. Psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life are also commonly reported. Together, these symptoms present barriers to accessing traditional healthcare services. Furthermore, a lack of satisfaction in traditional healthcare services is often reported. Mobile health has been proposed as a solution to improve long COVID symptom management whilst overcoming some barriers and improving patient experience of healthcare services. This scoping review aimed to identify mobile health technologies to support long COVID symptom management or tracking and to synthesise their reported outcomes. Methods: Following JBI guidelines and the PRISMA-ScR checklist, five databases (CINAHL ultimate, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, and Scopus) were searched. Articles were eligible for the review if they examined the use of mobile health technologies for long COVID symptom management or tracking. Articles which involved individuals under 18 years or non-human samples or focussed on conditions alongside long COVID where results could not be separated were not eligible for inclusion. Risk of bias was assessed using JBI, ROB 2, and ROBINS-1 V2, and is presented using both visual summaries and narrative descriptions. Results: Of 737 articles screened, 38 met the eligibility criteria and were included in the current review. These articles totalled 3541 participants across 14 countries. Technology modality varied, with the current review synthesising findings from mobile apps, web pages, video-calling platforms, wearables, and virtual reality headsets. Findings showed that mobile health technologies were acceptable and feasible, although a one-size-fits-all approach cannot be adopted due to individual differences in symptomatology and support needs. Conclusions: Promising improvements in symptom-based outcome measures and fitness tests were reported, although intervention and methodological heterogeneity limits our conclusions regarding comparative effectiveness.

While wearable activity trackers (WATs) are widely used in the present day, with device ownership increasing, some individuals subsequently discontinue device use. Existing research primarily examines the initiation and maintenance of device use, with less focus on device discontinuation. Examining this phenomenon can provide valuable insight into human-computer interactions and habit reversal. Therefore, the current study examined the perceived emotional and behavioural impact of WAT discontinuation, alongside reasons for this action in former WAT users. Fifteen former WAT users (9 female, aged 23 to 56 years) who reported either full or partial device discontinuation were interviewed. Three themes and nine sub-themes were identified which detailed the impacts of device discontinuation. Participants reported a mindset shift around one’s body image, exercise performance and exercise motivation. Device discontinuation removed numerical feedback provision which led to participants gaining bodily intuition and a sense of freedom. However, discontinuation also resulted in short-term negative emotions including frustration around the loss of external praise and envy in current WAT users. Current findings hold important implications around digital safety from user perspective, highlighting the need for guidance around healthy WAT use and vulnerable user profiles. More broadly, findings also raise the need for physical activity promotion whilst protecting individuals’ well-being. Author summary: Wearable activity trackers, such as smartwatches, rings, and chest straps, are growing in popularity, but some individuals choose to discontinue device use. Research often focusses on why people use devices, neglecting why some people stop using them. In the current study, we examined the perceived emotional and behavioural impact of device discontinuance in former wearable activity tracker users. Device discontinuation left participants feeling less pressured to exercise and no longer doing so simply to receive positive data, which resulted in a sense of freedom. Participants reported enjoying exercise more and being kinder to themselves following device discontinuation. Although, they also felt frustrated and sometimes envious over the loss of this feedback, and some participants struggled to initially adapt to life without their device. Our findings showed the need for guidance and support provision over healthy use of wearable activity trackers.

Wearable activity trackers have been recognised as effective tools for physical activity promotion, leading to their integration in healthcare services. Although, some qualitative literature indicated that device users may experience emotional conflict. The current study is the first of our knowledge to directly examine the conflict faced by wearable activity tracker users. A qualitative, exploratory design was followed, with inductive thematic analysis conducted on semi-structured interview transcripts. The current study consisted of 11 participants (8 female), aged between 18 to 59 years (M= 30.73) who used a wearable activity tracker for a minimum of 3 months. Four themes and nine sub-themes captured participants’ emotional conflict. Themes were; Who knows best? Who’s in charge? Who am I without it? And What is happening to me?. Themes highlighted that device users faced emotional conflict around navigating a data mismatch, how a wearable activity tracker impacted their behaviour, the amount of control a tracker had over them, whether their device use was positive, and how they would act and feel if they no longer used their wearable activity tracker Participants experienced substantial emotional conflict from wearable activity tracker use. The intensity of device-user relationship was clear, suggesting device dependency and perceived device importance. Findings hold crucial implications around the integration of activity trackers in healthcare services, recommendations around healthy use, and the potential long-term negative impact of using these devices on bodily intuition. Theoretical underpinnings remain unclear around wearable activity tracker use; results suggested blurred boundaries between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation - likely due to device embodiment - and highlighted the role of pressure in driving increased physical activity. Author summary: Wearable activity trackers allow users to self-track health information. Typically devices are watches, but rings and chest straps are also used. We investigated if individuals using these devices experienced any emotional conflict. Interviews were conducted and data was analysed. We found that users felt emotional conflict for multiple reasons. Many received data from their device that they disagreed with, meaning they had to debate which perspective to adopt. Others felt conflict around how important their device felt to them and how much it impacted their behaviour. These devices were worn consistently by most participants meaning they became dependent on a device and found it difficult to separate what behaviour was for themselves, and what was to please the device. Consistent use meant users felt conflict around who they would feel and act if they stopped using their activity tracker. Conflict was also reported around how these devices changed behaviour; some said a device increased their motivation, but many instead reported feeling pressure to be active. Wearable activity trackers are beginning to be used in healthcare services. These findings stress that we need to recommend them with caution.