Short answer

Adopt a systematic development protocol, such as Intervention Mapping, to ensure all critical aspects of an intervention are considered and addressed, from initial concept to evaluation.

Field
Innovation & Design
Source
BMC Public Health (2006)
Method
Systematic Development Protocol
Evidence
Strong effect

A systematic protocol like Intervention Mapping can guide the comprehensive development, implementation, and evaluation of targeted health interventions for specific populations. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2006 study published in BMC Public Health. Using Systematic development protocol, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Adopt a systematic development protocol, such as Intervention Mapping, to ensure all critical aspects of an intervention are considered and addressed, from initial concept to evaluation.

Study
Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Intervention Mapping Protocol Optimizes Adolescent Health Program Development

A systematic protocol like Intervention Mapping can guide the comprehensive development, implementation, and evaluation of targeted health interventions for specific populations.

BMC Public Health · 2006

01

Key Findings

  • 01The Intervention Mapping protocol facilitated the creation of a comprehensive, multi-component intervention tailored to the needs of adolescents.
  • 02The intervention integrated individual educational strategies with environmental changes within the school setting.
  • 03A randomized controlled trial design was used to evaluate the intervention's effectiveness on primary and secondary outcomes.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Adopt a systematic development protocol, such as Intervention Mapping, to ensure all critical aspects of an intervention are considered and addressed, from initial concept to evaluation.

How to apply

When designing any intervention, especially in health or social programs, use a structured framework to define objectives, identify target behaviours, select appropriate strategies, and plan for implementation and evaluation.

Project actions

  • 01When developing a design solution, think about using a structured approach to ensure all aspects are covered.
  • 02Consider how your design can influence both individual behaviour and the environment it operates within.
03

Method & Evidence

AimHow can the Intervention Mapping protocol be systematically applied to develop, implement, and evaluate a school-based intervention for preventing excessive weight gain in adolescents?
MethodSystematic Development Protocol
ProcedureThe Intervention Mapping (IM) protocol was used to guide the creation of a school-based intervention (DOiT) aimed at preventing excessive weight gain in adolescents. This involved defining program objectives, identifying target behaviours (reducing sugary drinks, unhealthy snacks, sedentary time; increasing physical activity), and developing both educational (classroom lessons) and environmental (school canteen changes, extra PE) components. The intervention's effectiveness was then evaluated using a randomized controlled trial, assessing body composition, behaviour, determinants, and fitness, alongside a process evaluation.
ContextAdolescent health promotion, school-based interventions, public health

Variables

IV["Intervention (DOiT program: educational + environmental components)","Application of Intervention Mapping protocol"]
DV["Body composition (primary)","Behaviour (e.g., beverage consumption, snack intake, sedentary time, physical activity)","Behavioural determinants","Aerobic fitness (secondary)"]
CV["Age and socio-economic background of adolescents","School setting","Duration and intensity of intervention delivery"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Systematic and theory-based development process (Intervention Mapping).
  • +Comprehensive evaluation including a randomized controlled trial and process evaluation.
  • +Focus on multiple health behaviours and integrated intervention components.

Limitations

The effectiveness of the intervention might vary depending on the specific school environment and the engagement of teachers and students.

Reliability & validity

The use of a randomized controlled trial design enhances the internal validity of the study by minimizing confounding factors. The process evaluation contributes to the external validity by providing insights into the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention in a real-world setting. Reliability would be assessed through consistent application of intervention protocols and standardized measurement of outcomes.

Think critically

How might the 'environmental component' of the intervention be further optimized to ensure long-term sustainability of behaviour change beyond the intervention period?

05

Design Principles

"Systematic intervention development protocols enhance the comprehensiveness and effectiveness of health promotion designs."

This structured approach ensures that interventions are not only theoretically sound but also practically applicable and measurable. By focusing on specific behaviours and integrating educational and environmental components, designers can create more impactful and sustainable health promotion programs.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Using a step-by-step guide helps create better health programs for teenagers that actually work.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference the systematic development process used in this study to justify the structured approach taken in your own design project.
  • 2.Discuss how the principles of Intervention Mapping can be applied to your design process for creating a more robust and well-researched outcome.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The development of the DOiT intervention, as described by Singh et al. (2006), exemplifies the utility of systematic protocols like Intervention Mapping in creating comprehensive and targeted design solutions. This approach ensures that interventions are not only theoretically grounded but also practically implemented and rigorously evaluated, addressing specific behavioural targets and integrating both individual and environmental strategies, which is a valuable model for developing effective design projects.

09

Source

BMC Public Health

Design of the Dutch Obesity Intervention in Teenagers (NRG-DOiT): systematic development, implementation and evaluation of a school-based intervention aimed at the prevention of excessive weight gain in adolescents

journal · 2006

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about intervention mapping protocol optimizes adolescent health program development?
Adopt a systematic development protocol, such as Intervention Mapping, to ensure all critical aspects of an intervention are considered and addressed, from initial concept to evaluation. Evidence: BMC Public Health (2006).
Why does "Intervention Mapping Protocol Optimizes Adolescent Health Program Development" matter for design?
This structured approach ensures that interventions are not only theoretically sound but also practically applicable and measurable. By focusing on specific behaviours and integrating educational and environmental components, designers can create more impactful and sustainable health promotion programs.
How can designers apply this research?
Adopt a systematic development protocol, such as Intervention Mapping, to ensure all critical aspects of an intervention are considered and addressed, from initial concept to evaluation.
What were the main findings?
The Intervention Mapping protocol facilitated the creation of a comprehensive, multi-component intervention tailored to the needs of adolescents.. The intervention integrated individual educational strategies with environmental changes within the school setting.. A randomized controlled trial design was used to evaluate the intervention's effectiveness on primary and secondary outcomes.
What research method was used?
Systematic Development Protocol.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2006 journal from BMC Public Health.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing any intervention, especially in health or social programs, use a structured framework to define objectives, identify target behaviours, select appropriate strategies, and plan for implementation and evaluation.
What are the limitations?
The specific context of Dutch adolescents from low socio-economic backgrounds may limit generalizability to other populations or settings.