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Table 2 Variables assessed, feedback topics, BCTs and constructs targeted in each session (Motivation + Self-regulation + Habit condition combined)

From: Comparing motivational, self-regulatory and habitual processes in a computer-tailored physical activity intervention in hospital employees - protocol for the PATHS randomised controlled trial

Session number

Session topic

Variables assessed (number of questions)

Feedback topics (number of permutations, i.e. possible variations of the response)

BCTs includeda

Constructs targeted

1

Motivation, self-efficacy, self-monitoring and habit development

- Demographics (5)

- Physical activity (10)

- PA goal (1; 5 options)

- PA self-efficacy (1; Not at all certain/ Moderately certain / Highly certain)

- Preference for PA routine (1; 5 options)

- Habit Automaticity Index (4 questions)

- Feedback on the session after tailored advice (1)

- Introduction based on the condition (3)

- Motivation: Physical activity guideline according to the selected main motivation (7)

- Self-regulation: Feedback on current physical activity level in relation to the main motivation chosen, presented with graph (87)

- Habit: Developing habits based on preferred PA, need for behavioural repetition (5)

- Habit: Recognising prompts in relation to the habit automaticity level (3)

- Self-regulation: Setting a goal for the next two weeks based on self-efficacy levels; goal is predetermined (9)

- Conclusion based on the condition and main motivation (15)

1.1. Goal setting (behaviour)

2.2. Feedback on behaviour

5.1. Information about health consequences

5.6. Information about emotional consequences

7.1. Prompts/cues

8.3. Habit formation

15.1. Verbal persuasion about capability

Knowledge, goals, intrinsic motivation, autonomy, self-efficacy, intentions, outcome expectations, cues and habits

2

Goal setting, action planning and forming positive habits

- Physical activity (10)

- Weight (1)

- Goal setting (2)

- Open questions about long and short term goals (2)

- Habits and prompts (2)

- Action planning phrased with/without references to habit – open answers (5)

- Feedback on the session after tailored advice (1)

- Welcome based on the condition (3)

- Self-regulation: PA guidance refresher based on the main goal (5)

- Physical activity progress feedback (27)

- Motivation: Long and short term goals with SMART goals principles (4)

- Habit: Feedback on developing habits and noticing prompts (4)

- Self-regulation: Action plan (1)

- Habit: Action plan with reference to behaviour repetition in a stable context (1)

- Conclusion based on the condition (3)

1.1 Goal setting (behaviour)

1.3. Goal setting (outcome)

1.4. Action planning

2.2. Feedback on behaviour

7.1. Prompts/cues

8.3. Habit formation

Knowledge, self-efficacy, attitudes, perceived behavioural control, goals, intentions, cues and habits

3

Self-efficacy, barriers identification and staying motivated, self-regulating in face of barriers and recognising cues to action

- Physical activity (10)

- Weight (1)

- Coping self-efficacy (6)

- Action plan completed (1)

- Main prompts (1; 5 options)

- Action plan evaluated open answers (5)

- Confidence to recognise prompts (1)

- Feedback on the session after tailored advice (1)

- Welcome based on the condition and prompts recognised for Habit group (9)

- Motivation: Boosting your confidence and staying motivated based on identified barriers (6)

- Self-regulation: Physical activity progress feedback includes graphs (52)

- Habit: Feedback on developing habits (6)

- Habit: Noticing prompts (5)

- Self-regulation: Action plan (1)

- Habit: Action plan with reference to behaviour repetition in a stable context (1)

- Conclusion based on the condition (3)

1.4. Action planning

1.5. Review behaviour goal(s)

1.6. Discrepancy between current behaviour and goal

5.4. Monitoring of emotional consequencesb

5.5. Anticipated regret

5.6. Information about emotional consequences

7.1. Prompts/cues

8.3. Habit formation

Knowledge, self-efficacy, attitudes, perceived behavioural control, coping self-efficacy, goals, intentions, emotions, cues and habits

4

Social support and motivation, self-monitoring and forming activity routines with others

- Physical activity (10)

- Weight (1)

- Positive social support (3)

- Negative social support (3)

- Influence of others (1)

- Feedback on the session after tailored advice (1)

- Welcome based on the condition (3)

- Self-regulation: Physical activity progress feedback (52)

- Motivation: Positive influence of others and dyadic plans (20)

- Self-regulation: Positive influence of others and dyadic plans (20)

- Habit: Positive influence of others and dyadic routines (20)

- Negative influence of others and staying motivated when others are not supportive (20)

- Encouraging other people to be active (2)

- Conclusion based on the condition (3)

1.5. Review behaviour goal(s)

1.6. Discrepancy between current behaviour and goal

1.7. Review outcome goal(s)

3.2. Social support (practical)

3.3. Social support (emotional)

6.3. Information about others’ approval

10.9. Self-reward

12.2. Restructuring the social environment

Self-efficacy, knowledge, goals, intrinsic motivation, autonomy, social support, subjective norm, habit, routine

5

Experiencing barriers to being active and staying motivated; reasons for falling back into bad habits; relapse prevention

- Physical activity (10)

- Weight (1)

- Behavioural barriers (2)

- Open question re-evaluating short term goal for PATHS (1)

- Habit development (2)

- Feedback on the session after tailored advice (1)

- Welcome based on the condition (3)

- Self-regulation: Physical activity progress feedback (52)

- Habit: Maintaining positive habits – coping planning (4)

- Motivation: Relapse prevention based on the main barrier selected with an emphasis on staying motivated (10)

- Self-regulation: Relapse prevention based on the main barrier selected with an emphasis on staying motivated and self-regulating (10)

- Habit: Relapse prevention based on the main barrier selected with an emphasis on staying motivated/self-regulating and maintaining positive habits (10)

- Conclusion based on the condition (3)

1.2. Problem solving

1.7. Review outcome goal(s)

7.3. Reduce prompts/cues

8.2. Behaviour substitution

8.4. Habit reversal

11.2. Reducing

negative emotions

12.3. Avoidance/ reducing exposure to cues for the behaviour

Self-efficacy, intrinsic

motivation, goals,

intentions, knowledge,

attitudes, perceived behavioural control, emotions, self-regulation, habits, cues-to-action, behavioural barriers

6

Summary: staying motivated, self-regulating and maintaining habits

- Physical activity (10)

- Weight (1)

- Habit Automaticity Index (4 questions)

- Feedback on the session after tailored advice (1)

- Welcome based on the condition (3)

- Self-regulation: Physical activity progress feedback with graph (52)

- Self-regulation: Weight changes throughout the program with graph (16)

- Motivation: Tips to stay motivated (1)

- Self-regulation: Tips to stay motivated and to self-regulate PA (1)

- Habit: Tips to stay motivated and to self-regulate PA and to follow newly developed routines (1)

- Motivation: Success stories from other hospital employees who increased their PA (1)

- Conclusion based on the condition (3)

2.2. Feedback on behaviour

2.7. Feedback on outcome (s) of behaviour

5.1. Information about health consequences

5.6. Information about emotional consequences

6.3. Information about others’ approval

8.1. Behavioural

practice/rehearsal

9.2. Pros and cons

Self-efficacy, Intrinsic motivation, Autonomous Motivation, Intention to maintain the behaviour, Habit

  1. a Names and numbers according to V1 Behaviour Change Taxonomy: Michie, Susan, et al. “The behavior change technique taxonomy (v1) of 93 hierarchically clustered techniques: building an international consensus for the reporting of behavior change interventions.” Annals of behavioral medicine 46.1 (2013): 81–95.
  2. b Use of this BCT will depend on the option selected by the participants.
  3. Numbers in brackets indicate the possible number of feedback permutations