Just One Move: co-design and usability testing of a digital physical activity behavior change platform for people with rheumatoid arthritis
9 affiliations
- 1McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
- 2O’Brien Institute for Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
- 3Arthritis Research Canada
- 4Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta
- 5Division of Rheumatology, Cumming School of Medicine
- 6Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
- 7Primary Care Alberta
- 8School of Public Health, University of Alberta
- 9Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
Abstract
Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) affects 18 million people worldwide, leading to debilitating symptoms and increased cardiovascular disease risk. Regular physical activity can address these challenges, yet people with RA face barriers to physical activity and lack tailored support. Digital interventions offer a resource-efficient strategy for increasing physical activity. To improve their effectiveness and implementation, stronger end-user engagement and behavioral science integration is needed. Alongside physical activity experts, rheumatology providers, and people with RA, we completed preparatory research to inform the co-design of an RA-specific digital physical activity intervention: JustOneMove.ca. The present study presents learnings from the co-design process, outlines the resultant intervention, and summarizes usability survey findings.
Methods: The study leveraged patient-oriented research, user-centered design, and behavioral science frameworks (behavior change wheel, theoretical domains framework). After mapping physical activity barriers to these frameworks, Just One Move was co-designed via a 4-step user-centered process (Phase 1). We collaborated with people with RA and web design experts to review, design, refine, and develop the intervention using design sprint methodology. Data on resources required and partner involvement during Phase 1 were summarized descriptively. A mixed methods survey (Phase 2) gathered perspectives on usability and usefulness. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis.
Results: Co-design was completed in 7 months by a team of 20 people with RA, 5 researchers (rheumatology, physiotherapy, behavioral science), and 2 experts in healthcare design and web development. Co-design blended research evidence and user preferences through design thinking. Challenges included balancing creativity with feasibility and defining clear expectations. The Just One Move intervention includes: a library of RA-friendly movements, a guided action planner, a collection of inspiring stories from people with RA, and an expert toolkit with tips for moving well with RA. Across 37 users (median age: 62.0), average usability was 4.0/5 and usefulness was 3.7/5. Just One Move was easy to use and inspired confidence to move more. However, users requested clearer instructions and more customizable content.
Conclusion: Evidence-informed co-design can produce high-quality digital physical activity interventions for people with RA. Future work will examine the effectiveness of JustOneMove.ca.
Related
- Associations of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Handgrip Strength with Clinical Characteristics in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis from Western Mexico.
- Lung Ultrasound in Rheumatoid Arthritis–Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: Association with Radiological Patterns, Lung Function Tests, and Disease Activity—A Single-Center Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study
- Associations between thyrotropin receptor antibody, rheumatoid autoantibodies, and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective cross-sectional study
- Physical inactivity in rheumatoid arthritis: socioeconomic, clinical, and psychological insights
- Association of Plasma CCDC88A Expression Combined with Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate with Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity: A Cross-Sectional Exploratory Study.
BibTeX
@article{ester2026just,
title = {{Just One Move: co-design and usability testing of a digital physical activity behavior change platform for people with rheumatoid arthritis}},
author = {Manuel Ester and Daniel Gillespie and Kiran Dhiman and Krista White and Melissa Sipley and Daniyal Sait and Aidan Lee and Racheal Githumbi and Nikki Bhatti and Eileen Davidson and Linda L. Roy and Carole Silvera and Kamala Adhikari and Claire E. H. Barber},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1972848},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1972848/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Just One Move: co-design and usability testing of a digital physical activity behavior change platform for people with rheumatoid arthritis
AU - Manuel Ester
AU - Daniel Gillespie
AU - Kiran Dhiman
AU - Krista White
AU - Melissa Sipley
AU - Daniyal Sait
AU - Aidan Lee
AU - Racheal Githumbi
AU - Nikki Bhatti
AU - Eileen Davidson
AU - Linda L. Roy
AU - Carole Silvera
AU - Kamala Adhikari
AU - Claire E. H. Barber
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1972848
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1972848/full
AB - Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) affects 18 million people worldwide, leading to debilitating symptoms and increased cardiovascular disease risk. Regular physical activity can address these challenges, yet people with RA face barriers to physical activity and lack tailored support. Digital interventions offer a resource-efficient strategy for increasing physical activity. To improve their effectiveness and implementation, stronger end-user engagement and behavioral science integration is needed. Alongside physical activity experts, rheumatology providers, and people with RA, we completed preparatory research to inform the co-design of an RA-specific digital physical activity intervention: JustOneMove.ca. The present study presents learnings from the co-design process, outlines the resultant intervention, and summarizes usability survey findings. Methods: The study leveraged patient-oriented research, user-centered design, and behavioral science frameworks (behavior change wheel, theoretical domains framework). After mapping physical activity barriers to these frameworks, Just One Move was co-designed via a 4-step user-centered process (Phase 1). We collaborated with people with RA and web design experts to review, design, refine, and develop the intervention using design sprint methodology. Data on resources required and partner involvement during Phase 1 were summarized descriptively. A mixed methods survey (Phase 2) gathered perspectives on usability and usefulness. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Results: Co-design was completed in 7 months by a team of 20 people with RA, 5 researchers (rheumatology, physiotherapy, behavioral science), and 2 experts in healthcare design and web development. Co-design blended research evidence and user preferences through design thinking. Challenges included balancing creativity with feasibility and defining clear expectations. The Just One Move intervention includes: a library of RA-friendly movements, a guided action planner, a collection of inspiring stories from people with RA, and an expert toolkit with tips for moving well with RA. Across 37 users (median age: 62.0), average usability was 4.0/5 and usefulness was 3.7/5. Just One Move was easy to use and inspired confidence to move more. However, users requested clearer instructions and more customizable content. Conclusion: Evidence-informed co-design can produce high-quality digital physical activity interventions for people with RA. Future work will examine the effectiveness of JustOneMove.ca.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -