Factors Affecting Technology Acceptance and Usability of a Personalized Online Nutrition and Exercise Web-Based App (Heal-Me): A Multimethods Study.

Abstract

Objective: The Heal-Me (Healthy Eating, Active Living-Mindful Energy) version 1 is a web-based app designed to provide exercise and nutrition support to vulnerable chronic disease populations. As version 1 of the Heal-Me technology has not been evaluated for acceptance and usability within a clinical environment, this study sought to apply the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework to investigate its acceptance and usability as part of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving adults diagnosed with cancer, chronic lung disease, or those who had undergone liver or lung transplantation.

Methods: This single-group study used a multimethod design. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires before and after the intervention, without a control group. Near the end of the study, individual interviews were conducted with select participants. Technology acceptance and usability were assessed using five-point Likert scales from "disagree (0)" to "agree (4)." Data analysis included partial least squares structural equation modeling and thematic analysis of interview responses.

Results: Participants' expectations for accepting the Heal-Me web-based app were met. Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence had direct effects on their intention to use the app, explaining 50.9% of the variance in behavioral intention. Both facilitating conditions and behavioral intention significantly influenced actual usage, accounting for 71.4% of its variance.

Conclusion: Performance expectancy emerged as the most influential factor predicting participants' intention to use the Heal-Me web-based app, with findings clearly indicating a high level of acceptance of the first version of this technology.