Chapter 2 34 [37, 39]. Various definitions of virtual coaching exist in research studies, focusing either on mediated communication via internet or phone, or on the telemonitoring of health but not on the personalised feedback side of coaching [37, 40]. In this research, we adopt the definition of eCoaching by Lentferink et al. [38, p.16]: “…eCoaching is defined as the remote and automatic provision of just-in-time tailored feedback for healthy lifestyle management, by enabling users to set personal goals and encouraging to track personal progress towards their goals, adapting the feedback to the usage patterns and context, and encouraging long-term use.” Current eCoaching developments and studies often lack user and stakeholder involvement and are not grounded by the behavior change theories, which leads to low usability and therefore low adherence [38]. Approach and methods The objective of this research is to develop a personalised self-management intervention based on Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for young adult emotional eaters who are obese. We regard young adults as people in the age range of 18-44 years. Midlife transition, starting at the age of 40 to 45, might bring along other circumstances. Development is guided by the CeHRes roadmap (Center for eHealth & Wellbeing Research, University Twente) – a holistic eHealth framework for developing eHealth interventions based on a participatory design process and persuasive design approach to maximize the impact of the behavior change support intervention [41]. It is essential to emphasise the effect of the ‘look and feel’ of the intervention interface design on the adherence of the user. The interface design should be attractive and engaging to the user, otherwise he or she is unlikely to use it. User-centered design and an inter-disciplinary approach are therefore incorporated in the CeHRes roadmap framework [42]. In addition, it is important to determine which design features are used in successful eHealth interventions. Other essential aspects are suitable input modalities (such as speech, text, gestures, mouse, touch, haptic, and tangible) [40] and interactivity, information architecture, the degree to which information is updated, aesthetics, usability, credibility, and entertainment factor [43-44]. eHealth Intervention Architecture The intervention consists of a series of education and instruction modules on emotional eating behaviour and emotion regulation. A personalised virtual coach will guide the user through four modules. First an ‘intake procedure’ will take place: the user will be invited to make a commitment never to lose him or herself in emotional eating behaviour again, followed by educational modules on mindfulness, emotion regulation, and stress tolerance (Fig. 1).
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