Interactive health apps may inspire healthy behaviors, but watch the tone

Interactive health apps may inspire healthy behaviors, but watch the tone 03/01/2017 09:46 AM EST Just like real doctors and nurses, online health tools with good--but controlled--communication skills can promote healthier lifestyles, according to researchers. However, if their tone is conversational, these tools may lull users into a false sense of comfort, they add. In a study, people who experienced a back-and-forth interaction with an online health risk assessment website were more likely to follow the health behaviors suggested by the tool. Full story at http://news.psu.edu/story/452536/2017/02/23/research/interactive-health-apps-may-inspire-healthy-behaviors-watch-tone Source The Pennsylvania State University This is an NSF News From the Field item.   Follow NSF:  This email was sent using GovDelivery, on behalf of: National Science Foundation Update · 4201 Wilson Boulevard · Arlington, VA 22230 · 703-292-5111