Behavioral Change through Shared Activity Data and Future Body Prediction Using Wearable Devices in Older Adults

Abstract: This study explores the behavioral and psychological impacts of a health information-sharing system that integrates wearable devices with a metaverse-based virtual environment, aiming to promote exercise and medication adherence among older adults. The proposed system allowed participants to visualize their own and others’ health behaviors—such as step counts, meal frequency, and medication adherence—via avatars acting as digital twins. These avatars reflected not only current health metrics but also projected future body composition based on collected data, thereby enhancing health awareness and risk perception. Ten participants, mainly older adults living in Gunma Prefecture, took part in a two-week intervention following a baseline monitoring phase. Health data collected through smartwatches were automatically transmitted to a tablet interface and visualized in a simplified metaverse environment. Importantly, the system was designed with minimal operational complexity—requiring only that users wear the device—thereby ensuring high usability even among first-time users of digital health technologies. Participants could passively observe anonymized avatars and data from others, fostering a sense of mutual recognition and engagement without the need for direct interaction. Statistical analysis revealed a significant increase in daily step counts after the intervention (paired t-test, p = 0.0001), while no meaningful change was observed in meal frequency (p = 0.343). Post-intervention interviews and survey results highlighted strong user satisfaction and acceptance. Participants consistently praised the intuitive interface, the motivating effect of avatar-based feedback, and the ease of use. Notably, average satisfaction scores ranged from 4.5 to 5.0 across items related to interface design, perceived usefulness, and behavioral impact—indicating that even a non-immersive, lightweight system can yield meaningful behavioral outcomes. These findings demonstrate that immersive VR is not a prerequisite for effective health promotion. Rather, simplified digital spaces leveraging mutual awareness, self-projection, and intuitive design can motivate behavioral change and enhance health literacy among older adults. This approach shows strong potential for real-world application, particularly when integrated with local healthcare services and conversational agents. The system also presents a scalable framework for future digital therapeutics targeting broader populations and specific chronic disease management.

Keywords: Wearable Devices, Healthcare, Disease Prediction, Digital Twin, data sharing

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1006984

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