Optimising an immersive virtual reality behaviour change intervention to support retired and non-working adults to reduce their sedentary behaviour
A mini-focus group interview study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21579698 |
|---|---|
| Authors | David Healy (0000-0002-6340-9247, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway), Aisling Flynn (0000-0001-9673-1614, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Galway), Gearóid Reilly (0000-0003-0442-4081, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway), Owen Conlan (0000-0002-9054-9747, School of Computer Science and Statistics, The University of Dublin Trinity College), Anne C Browne (0000-0002-8207-4446, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway), Jane Walsh (0000-0001-5476-1348, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 339-367 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-04 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Psychology & Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0887-0446 • E-ISSN: 1476-8321 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/08870446.2024.2414807 |
| PMID | 39780403 |
| OpenAlex | W4406191292 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 56 |
OBJECTIVE: Prolonged sedentary behaviour is associated with numerous negative health outcomes. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) offers opportunities for retired and non-working adults to take part in meaningful non-sedentary activities that may not be available to them in their natural environment. Using the behaviour change wheel and theoretical domains framework, an IVR intervention prototype was developed. This study aimed to explore and optimise the prototype with retired and non-working adults. A secondary aim was to explore participants' perceptions of IVR more generally. METHODS AND MEASURES: Five semi-structured mini-focus group interviews were conducted with 12 retired and non-working adults. Each group explored the intervention prototype together and discussed their experiences afterwards. A rapid analysis and reflexive thematic analysis (TA) were conducted on the data. RESULTS: Several feasible intervention design changes were generated through the rapid analysis. The reflexive TA generated three themes relating to participants' past experiences reducing their time spent sedentary, how they experienced the intervention prototype as a means to reduce their time spent sedentary, and their perspectives on using such an intervention in the future. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that retired and non-working adults may enjoy using IVR to reduce sedentary time but generally favour natural experiences when possible
Behaviour change · Focus group · Human–computer interaction · Perception · Virtual reality · Applied Psychology · Computer Science · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Physical Activity and Health · Psychology · Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
Sedentary Behavior Research Network (SBRN) – Terminology Consensus Project process and outcome
Sedentary Time and Its Association With Risk for Disease Incidence, Mortality, and Hospitalization in Adults
How Sedentary Are Older People? A Systematic Review of the Amount of Sedentary Behavior
Augmented reality
The Person-Based Approach to Intervention Development
Sedentary Behaviors and Subsequent Health Outcomes in Adults
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Validation of the theoretical domains framework for use in behaviour change and implementation research
Sedentary behaviour and risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality, and incident type 2 diabetes
A Systematic Review of Social Presence
The behaviour change wheel
International Physical Activity Questionnaire
The Effects of Viewing an Uplifting 360-Degree Video on Emotional Well-Being Among Elderly Adults and College Students Under Immersive Virtual Reality and Smartphone Conditions
Thematic Analysis
Determinants of Sedentary Behavior, Motivation, Barriers and Strategies to Reduce Sitting Time in Older Women
Journal article reporting standards for qualitative primary, qualitative meta-analytic, and mixed methods research in psychology
Using Paired Depth Interviews to Collect Qualitative Data
Direct healthcare costs of sedentary behaviour in the UK
Using thematic analysis in psychology
The Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy (v1) of 93 Hierarchically Clustered Techniques
Sample Size in Qualitative Interview Studies
Critical Health Psychology
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |