Update on the LifeGuide- new software that allows YOU to create

internet-delivered interventions!

Behavioural scientists: Lucy YardleySusan MichieJudith JosephLeanne Morrison

Administrator: Victoria Hayter

Computer scientists: Dave de RoureGary WillsMark WealJonathon HareAdrian OsmondLisha Chen-WilsonPrins ButtJoe PriceAsh Smith

Advantages of the LifeGuideCurrent situation: most internet-

delivered behavioural interventions are programmed individually – and then you are stuck with whatever you have created!

Developing software to allow researchers to flexibly create and modify interventions will:a) have immediate pragmatic benefitsb) create the potential for more rapid and powerful development of behavioural science

Pragmatic benefits of the LifeGuide

• Improve cost-effectiveness of research – eliminate duplication of programming

• Improve access to internet-based intervention research (e.g. to students, junior researchers)

• Speed up modification and evaluation cycle, rapidly optimise intervention

The scientific potential of the LifeGuide

• Each modification/evaluation cycle tests theories on which intervention components are based

• Networks of researchers can

a) share intervention components

b) collaboratively collect much larger datasets allowing mediation and moderation analyses of effects of intervention components

Longer-term scientific potential of the LifeGuide

Foundation for a future ‘population laboratory’;semantically enriched, adaptive grid using

automatic data collection to continuously model/refine interventions

Planned work

Overlapping phases:• Co-design and software development• Pilot evaluation and software modification• Substantive tests: intervention studies carried

out in collaboration with user network• Dissemination (throughout)

Basis for co-design of software• workshops throughout

development– expert and junior researchers, different disciplines

• internet consultations with networks of behavioural researchers

• systematic search of literature and internet to identify all techniques used for delivery of PC-based interventions

Core components of effectivebehavioural interventions

1. Delivering advice, ‘tailored’;• use ‘diagnostic’ questions to select relevant

advice from extensive expert resources2. Providing longitudinal support, e.g.• plans, reminders• progress monitoring• progress-relevant feedback• social support (therapist, family, peers etc.)

Planned initial functionality of LifeGuide

1. Delivering tailored advice2. Providing longitudinal support, e.g.• reminders (e.g. automated emails)• planning, progress monitoring

(e.g. longitudinal graphing)• progress-relevant feedback (tailored)• social support (e.g. emails, discussion board,

peer comparisons, chat room sessions)

Planned initial functionality of LifeGuide3. Facilities for carrying out evaluations

(RCTs)• screening and multi-user registration• stratified randomisation• automated baseline and follow-up

assessment• monitoring throughput and adherence• output all data to Excel, SPSS etc.

Intervention manager: session data page with route map

Future of the LifeGuide

• added functionality as desired (open source)

• added connectivity (text messaging, remote monitoring, NHS links)

• different modalities (mobile computing)

• adaptive capabilities

Where are we now? (9 months)

• Systematic review completed, several workshops held, email network established

• First beta version of LifeGuide software completed, user testing commenced at workshops

• First intervention completed (‘Internet Dr’), qualitative and quantitative piloting underway

• Small number of collaborators now developing interventions using LifeGuide

• Developing educational materials to accompany LifeGuide (introduction to creating internet interventions)

www.lifeguideonline.org