Exploring digital health : a qualitative study on adults’ experiences with health apps and wearables
(2025) In International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being 20(1).- Abstract
Purpose: From an active ageing perspective, investigating how adults use apps and wearables for health purposes might improve well-being strategies supported by widely adopted technologies. This study investigated adults’ perceptions of using apps and wearables for health purposes. Methods: A qualitative interview study was conducted. Adults (+18) using an app/wearable to monitor at least one health variable (e.g. physical activity and diet) were eligible. Transcriptions were analysed using the Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Results: Nineteen participants (34.3 ± 14.5 years; men/women: 8/11) joined the study and from their transcriptions 5 themes were created: 1) Easy and accurate monitoring of health: balancing users’ needs and... (More)
Purpose: From an active ageing perspective, investigating how adults use apps and wearables for health purposes might improve well-being strategies supported by widely adopted technologies. This study investigated adults’ perceptions of using apps and wearables for health purposes. Methods: A qualitative interview study was conducted. Adults (+18) using an app/wearable to monitor at least one health variable (e.g. physical activity and diet) were eligible. Transcriptions were analysed using the Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Results: Nineteen participants (34.3 ± 14.5 years; men/women: 8/11) joined the study and from their transcriptions 5 themes were created: 1) Easy and accurate monitoring of health: balancing users’ needs and technological challenges; 2) Self-improvement and motivation: usefulness of rewarding behaviours and gamification towards achievements; 3) Requiring personalized apps and wearables: aesthetics and wearability; 4) Beyond simple monitoring: prevention and care throughout daily life; 5) Awareness of potentially dangerous digital data world: from distress to fixation. Conclusions: Apps and wearables were highly valued by our participants for effectively managing and enhancing their health and sports performance while ensuring education, motivation, ease of use, safety, and prevention. However, issues such as privacy concerns, wearability, and lack of integration need to be addressed to improve adoption, enhance usability and support active ageing initiatives.
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- author
- Leuzzi, Gaia ; Recenti, Filippo LU ; Giardulli, Benedetto ; Scafoglieri, Aldo and Testa, Marco
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- active ageing, health, mHealth, Mobile applications, wearable electronic devices
- in
- International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
- volume
- 20
- issue
- 1
- article number
- 2447096
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85213515927
- pmid:39726066
- ISSN
- 1748-2623
- DOI
- 10.1080/17482631.2024.2447096
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
- id
- 9b34e23b-0ead-41c1-9ac8-bda29b25d6a0
- date added to LUP
- 2025-03-27 10:08:08
- date last changed
- 2025-07-17 17:58:04
@article{9b34e23b-0ead-41c1-9ac8-bda29b25d6a0,
abstract = {{<p>Purpose: From an active ageing perspective, investigating how adults use apps and wearables for health purposes might improve well-being strategies supported by widely adopted technologies. This study investigated adults’ perceptions of using apps and wearables for health purposes. Methods: A qualitative interview study was conducted. Adults (+18) using an app/wearable to monitor at least one health variable (e.g. physical activity and diet) were eligible. Transcriptions were analysed using the Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Results: Nineteen participants (34.3 ± 14.5 years; men/women: 8/11) joined the study and from their transcriptions 5 themes were created: 1) Easy and accurate monitoring of health: balancing users’ needs and technological challenges; 2) Self-improvement and motivation: usefulness of rewarding behaviours and gamification towards achievements; 3) Requiring personalized apps and wearables: aesthetics and wearability; 4) Beyond simple monitoring: prevention and care throughout daily life; 5) Awareness of potentially dangerous digital data world: from distress to fixation. Conclusions: Apps and wearables were highly valued by our participants for effectively managing and enhancing their health and sports performance while ensuring education, motivation, ease of use, safety, and prevention. However, issues such as privacy concerns, wearability, and lack of integration need to be addressed to improve adoption, enhance usability and support active ageing initiatives.</p>}},
author = {{Leuzzi, Gaia and Recenti, Filippo and Giardulli, Benedetto and Scafoglieri, Aldo and Testa, Marco}},
issn = {{1748-2623}},
keywords = {{active ageing; health; mHealth; Mobile applications; wearable electronic devices}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{1}},
publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}},
series = {{International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being}},
title = {{Exploring digital health : a qualitative study on adults’ experiences with health apps and wearables}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2447096}},
doi = {{10.1080/17482631.2024.2447096}},
volume = {{20}},
year = {{2025}},
}