Digital Literacy Training and Acceptance of Physical Activity Apps in Older Women

NCT07515898 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: LithuanianSportsU-30
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 63
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled study examined whether a structured digital literacy training program could improve eHealth literacy, acceptance of physical activity applications, and behavioral intentions among older women. Participants aged 55 years and older with prior experience using physical activity applications were randomly assigned to either a 9-week face-to-face digital literacy training intervention or a control group that continued usual daily activities without receiving any educational program. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after the intervention. The study evaluated whether improving digital literacy enhances technology acceptance and supports intentions to use physical activity applications and engage in physical activity.

Conditions

Physical Activity; eHealth Literacy; Technology Acceptance

Keywords

digital literacy; physical activity apps; UTAUT2; eHealth; behavioral intention; mobile health; older women; randomized controlled study

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in eHealth literacy

  eHealth literacy was assessed using the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), an 8-item self-report measure of perceived knowledge, confidence, and skills in locating, evaluating, and applying electronic health information for health-related purposes. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Total scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicating better eHealth literacy.

  Baseline and post-intervention at 9 weeks

• Change in physical activity application acceptance

  Physical activity application acceptance was assessed using constructs from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2), including performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, and habit, with personal innovativeness included as an additional construct. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree), and scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater acceptance of physical activity applications.

  Baseline and post-intervention at 9 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in intention to use physical activity applications

  Baseline and post-intervention at 9 weeks

• Change in intention to engage in physical activity

  Baseline and post-intervention at 9 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Digital Literacy Training Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group received a structured 9-week digital literacy training program focused on improving skills in using physical activity applications. The intervention included weekly face-to-face sessions, practical exercises, and guided support to enhance eHealth literacy, technology acceptance, and engagement with physical activity apps.

Behavioral: Digital Literacy Training Program

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group continued their usual daily activities without receiving any digital literacy training or structured intervention during the study period.

Interventions

Digital Literacy Training Program BEHAVIORAL

The intervention consisted of a structured 9-week digital literacy training program delivered through weekly face-to-face sessions lasting approximately 60 minutes. The program focused on developing practical skills in using physical activity applications, including app selection, installation, navigation, privacy settings, goal setting, activity tracking, and interpretation of activity data. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises and received individualized support to enhance their eHealth literacy and confidence in using mobile health technologies. Printed instructional materials and home practice tasks were provided to reinforce learning and encourage independent use of applications.

Digital Literacy Training Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 55 Years+
• Gender Eligibility Details: Only female participants were eligible to participate in this study, as the study specifically targeted older women.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Female sex
• Age ≥55 years
• Prior experience using physical activity applications (current or former users)
• Engagement in at least minimal physical activity (≥1 time per week)
• Access to a smartphone
• Ability to understand the study procedures and provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Male sex
• Age \<55 years
• No prior experience using physical activity applications
• Not engaging in at least minimal physical activity (less than once per week)
• No access to a smartphone
• Inability to understand the study procedures or provide informed consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lithuanian Sports University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Lithuanian Sports University

Kaunas, Lithuania, 44221, Lithuania

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Baubonytė S. The Effect of Digital Literacy Training on Physical Activity App Acceptance and Behavioral Intentions Among Older Women: An Experimental Study. Preprints. 2026;2026021419. doi:10.20944/preprints202602.1419.v1

  RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either an intervention group receiving a structured digital literacy training program or a control group continuing usual activities without intervention, using stratified block randomization based on age group and prior app use status (current vs former users). Both groups were assessed at baseline and after the intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 31, 2026
• First Posted: April 7, 2026
• Study Start: January 21, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 28, 2025
• Study Completion: March 28, 2025
• Last Updated: April 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

LI (1)