Barriers and Opportunities for Using Wearable Devices to Increase Physical Activity Among Veterans: Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the use of wearable devices among the veteran population. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate veterans’ perceptions of and experiences with wearable devices and identify the potential barriers and opportunities to using such devices to increase physical activity levels in this population. METHODS: Veterans able to ambulate with or without assistance completed surveys about their mobile technology use and physical activity levels. They were then given the option of using a wearable device to monitor their activity levels. Follow-up telephone interviews were conducted after 2 months. RESULTS: A total of 16 veterans were enrolled in this study, and all of them agreed to take home and use the wearable device to monitor their activity levels. At follow-up, 91% (10/11) veterans were still using the device daily. Veterans identified both opportunities and barriers for incorporating these devices into interventions to increase physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans engaged in using wearable devices at high rates.