Liana Lianov*, University of California, Davis and HealthTypeâ„¢, Fair Oaks, United States Track: Business Presentation Topic: e-Coaching Presentation Type: Oral presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Building: Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School Room: B-Bray Room Date: 2012-09-15 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM Last modified: 2012-09-16

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Background: Studies have shown that personality types as defined by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)—the most widely used personality theory across the globe—can determine learning and decision making styles. The theory is based on Jung’s posit that cognitive processes are comprised of two basic attitudes (extraversion and introversion) and four functions (sensation, intuition, thinking, and feeling). These eight cognitive processes influence how individuals perceive information and make judgments and hence can affect motivation and decision-making regarding health habits. Recently electroencephalograms have shown a correlation between activities in identified regions of the brain and the preferred cognitive processes of personality types. Persuasive technologies for health behavior change can be designed to leverage these individual cognitive differences.

Objective: To develop mobile health behavior change applications that align with individual learning and decision making styles based on preferred cognitive processes and lead to successful user engagement

Methods: We developed a new psychological framework that merges the Jungian personality theory with the Prochaska stages-of-change or transtheoretical behavior change model. Interventions at each stage-of-change are customized for each personality type focusing on the dominant and auxiliary (most preferred) cognitive processes of that type. User interface and action prompts are aligned with each type’s preferences.

Users are given the choice of entering their personality type as identified by the MBTI, taking an abbreviated questionnaire to identify their preferred cognitive processes for making health behavior change, or directly choosing from among the eight cognitive processes as tools in making motivational and health action plans. The purpose for offering these options is to engage users in the tools and help them move forward with health behavior change plans rather than distracting users with identifying their best-fit personality type. By taking small action steps and experimenting with the cognitive-behavioral tools they can identify their most comfortable behavior change process in order to achieve sustainability.

The HealthTypeâ„¢ framework is incorporated into a mobile digital health coach and harnesses evidence-based constructs, positive psychology, progress feedback, relapse prevention planning, a reward system for short and long term goals, and support from social networks.

Results/Conclusions: Mobile technologies offer an opportunity to tailor health behavior change interventions based on individual cognitive process preferences in order to achieve and sustain healthy habits. Also, busy clinicians can refer patients to use such tools between clinical encounters. Applications customized to specific medical conditions can be prescribed to enhance patient self-management. Hence the business model includes targeting both the general public seeking to achieve healthy lifestyles and health care providers looking to support their patients to adhere to lifestyle “prescriptions.”