The Effectiveness of Tailored Interactive Multimedia Software based on the Trans-Theoretical Model for the Promotion of Physical Activity Behaviours

BACKGROUND: Although physical activity (PA) is essential, it is difficult to motivate people to take part in PA, especially the ones with high blood pressure (hypertension). One of the most commonly applied theoretical frameworks to change health behaviours is the Trans-Theoretical Model (TTM). The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of tailored, interactive multimedia software based on TTM for the promotion of PA behaviours among Iranian adults. METHODS: This interventional study selected 120 healthy individuals aged 30 years old–50 years old from health centres in Delijan, Iran using multi-stage sampling. The participants were in the pre-contemplation and contemplation stages of PA behaviour. For the intervention, an active multimedia training (active life) based on TTM, like six training sessions of approximately 30 min (once a week) plus aerobic exercise videos were designed and provided to the intervention group. Data was collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire before and 6 months after the intervention and analysed using statistical tests. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 38.20 (SD = 7.11) years old. Six months after the intervention, 61.7% of the individuals in the intervention group and 3.3% in the control group progressed to the action stage, which was significant only in the intervention group (P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in PA in both groups, yet this increase was significantly higher in the intervention group (36.02 [SD = 31.22] to 146.16 [SD = 90.43]; P < 0.001) compared to the control group (33.41 [SD = 28.33] to 54.41 [SD = 44.02; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results obtained indicated that the implementation of educational intervention using multimedia designed based on TTM could be used as one of the effective strategies to promote PA to prevent hypertension in adults.