Posture Pal
Gamifying Posture Improvement for Office Workers
Project Overview
The focus of my thesis project was to develop a gamified application prototype that promotes improved seating postures among office workers. The application was designed to integrate seamlessly into the daily routines of users, encouraging healthier habits through engaging game mechanics.
Research and Concept Development
The project began with an in-depth analysis of current gamification trends within mHealth applications. This research helped identify effective gamification strategies that engage users and promote sustained behavioral changes. The findings underscored the importance of rewards, challenges, and progress tracking in maintaining user engagement over time.
Prototype Design and Development
Leveraging the insights gained from the initial research, I designed a prototype with the following key features:
Posture Monitoring: Utilizing sensors to detect the user’s posture in real-time, providing immediate feedback when corrections are needed.
Rewards System: Points and badges were awarded for maintaining correct posture, with additional rewards for consistent improvement.
Challenge Modes: Daily and weekly challenges to encourage users to achieve longer periods of good posture.
Progress Tracking: Visual graphs and statistics to show users their posture improvements over time, fostering a sense of accomplishment.
User Testing and Feedback
The prototype was tested within the office environment of the CloudSEA.AI research group. Participants used the application during their regular work hours, allowing us to gather authentic feedback on the app's performance and user engagement.
Outcomes and Design Recommendations
Feedback from the testing phase was overwhelmingly positive, with participants noting significant improvements in their posture and overall comfort at work. The gamification elements successfully motivated users to alter their habits, indicating a strong potential for broader application in behavior change initiatives.
Based on the results, I provided several design recommendations for future developments in habit-forming and behavioral change applications:
Personalization: Customizable goals and rewards to suit individual preferences and needs.
Social Integration: Features like leaderboards or group challenges to increase motivation through social engagement.
Adaptive Feedback: Algorithms that adjust feedback based on user progress, maintaining challenge levels appropriate to user advancement.
Reflections
This thesis project illustrated the potential of gamification as a powerful tool in health promotion, specifically in the area of physical well-being in the workplace. By applying key principles of game design, the application successfully engaged users and promoted positive behavior change, highlighting the efficacy of gamification in mHealth solutions.t here...