Tracking Valued and Avoidant Functions with Health Behaviors: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Matrix Mobile App.
A phone-based ACT Matrix add-on gave small exercise gains for typical adults, yet weak engagement limited its punch.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Farley et al. (2022) asked if adding an ACT Matrix app to a basic health tracker would boost exercise and eating habits. They split neurotypical adults into two groups. One group used the tracker plus the Matrix app. The other used the tracker alone.
The Matrix app lets users swipe toward what matters (values) and away from what they avoid. It gives quick feedback after each entry. All data were collected by phone, so no lab visits were needed.
What they found
The Matrix group reported a small bump in weekly physical activity and slightly better control over snacking. Most other health habits stayed the same. People opened the Matrix app only a few times per week, and use dropped after the first month.
In short, the add-on helped a little, but it did not turn couch sitters into daily joggers.
How this fits with other research
Dallery et al. (2015) predicted that mixing behavioral rules with phone tech could scale up healthy change. Farley et al. (2022) shows the real payoff is modest when the tech is light on rewards.
Martner et al. (2019) also used remote tech for health: they added online cash prizes to e-cigarette quit efforts and saw no extra gain. Like E et al., they learned that tech alone, without strong contingencies, often fizzles.
Schieltz et al. (2020) proved telehealth can deliver solid function-based treatment when coaches stay active. The Matrix app lacked live coaching, which may explain the low click rate.
Why it matters
If you are building a self-monitoring program, pair the app with real-time rewards or coach check-ins. A values tracker can spark early interest, but you will need clearer payoffs to keep users moving.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the acceptability and additive effects of self-monitoring avoidant and valued functions of behavior, in the context of self-monitoring physical activity and dietary behavior in a mobile app. The self-monitoring approach was based on the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Matrix. A sample of 102 adults interested in improving their diet and physical activity were randomized to a Health Behavior Tracking app (HBT), HBT plus ACT matrix app (HBT+ACT), or waitlist condition. Online self-report assessments were completed at baseline, mid (2 weeks), and post-intervention (4 weeks). Participants reported high usability, but mixed satisfaction with both apps. About half of the prompted app check-ins were completed on average, with 14% never using the ACT app. Participants in the HBT+ACT app condition reported greater self-reported physical activity over time relative to HBT and waitlist, potentially due to protecting against a decrease over time in physical activity observed in the other two conditions. HBT and HBT+ACT conditions both improved self-reported sedentary behavior relative to waitlist. HBT+ACT improved cognitive restraint with eating more than HBT. Neither the HBT or HBT+ACT app improved other health behavior outcome measures or values processes relative to the waitlist. Overall, findings suggest some benefits of the ACT Matrix app for addressing physical activity by tracking valued/avoidant functions, but mixed findings on acceptability, outcomes, and processes of change suggests impact may be relatively limited.
Behavior modification, 2022 · doi:10.1177/0145445520913987