The use of social media and mEMA technology in comparing compliance rate among users

Compliance can be defined as the extent to which a person’s behavior corresponds with agreed recommendations. Within the context of lifestyle intervention, this may refer to physical activity, diet modifications, or lifestyle intervention program attendance or attrition. For lifestyle intervention programs to be successful (as measured against a variety of health and lifestyle markers), it is crucial for individuals to comply as best they can to the recommendations or instructions provided by the researchers. Those who disengage prematurely are likely to have poorer treatment outcomes. Hence, a better understanding and an added component, such as engagement, is vital to the development of successful compliance rates. Technology, such as the mobile-based Ecological Momentary Assessment (mEMA), has been used by researchers to collect data on participants through their smartphones. Studies have also used social media and mEMA in the past for topics such as chronic conditions, physical activity, weight management, and dietary behaviors. This article reports the results of two approaches to dietary monitoring using social media and mEMA technology and the lessons learned from the two studies for improving participant compliance.