Behavioural Change Support Systems
In the topic line of
Behavioural Change Support Systems
we offer topics for analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation in the following areas for a bachelor's, master's, diploma, or seminar thesis:
- HBCSS interfaces (Conversational Agents and Virtual Coaches)
- Untersuchung von Behaviour Change Theories und Measures
- The transition of complex behavioral changes into small habits that can be better integrated into patients' daily lives
Translating Complex Behavior Changes into Small Habits
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Habits in Context: Data-Driven Insights into Everyday Routines |
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The formation of healthy habits is strongly influenced by the context in which they are performed—such as time of day, physical environment, or emotional state. Recent research highlights that habits are highly context-dependent: factors like surroundings, emotional triggers, and specific situations play a crucial role in whether and how a habit is formed or maintained. However, there is currently no comprehensive dataset that systematically captures and analyzes these contextual factors from a data science perspective, indicating a significant research gap. This project aims to use a tool developed by the Digital Health research group to collect and analyze habits in their natural environment. The focus is not on technical implementation, but rather on applying existing knowledge and transferring insights into the field of data science. The goal is to gain new insights into context-dependent habit formation through structured data collection and analysis. While technical skills are beneficial, they are not mandatory. This topic can also be adapted for a research seminar. |
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| Behavioral changes through implementation and strengthening of habits | |
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| Health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and depression often require complex behavioral changes in the areas of exercise (10,000 steps a day), diet (sugar-free), and relaxation. Since such extensive behavioral changes are often not well integrated into everyday life and usually do not refer to specific actions, they are often not tackled in the first place or not sustained for long. Introducing small habits can help translate extensive habits into small, practicable units that can be maintained in the long term. The Digital Health research group is particularly interested in how the introduction and strengthening of habits can be supported digitally. Theses in this area can be of a technical nature (implementation of digital strategies in prototypes) or conceptual (reviews, literature analyses, development of habit repositories, etc.). | |
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From Algorithmic Control to Habit Autonomy: Investigating Algorithmic Mechanisms in Digital Health Applications |
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| Digital health applications increasingly use algorithmic mechanisms to guide users, for example by recommending actions, restricting choices, recording behavior, rating progress, rewarding engagement, or automating coaching functions. In information systems research, such mechanisms are discussed as forms of algorithmic control, because they shape how people act, decide, and evaluate their own performance. In healthcare, this is particularly relevant because algorithmic guidance can support evidence-based behavior change, but may also create dependency, reduce autonomy, or prioritize engagement over long-term health outcomes. This thesis examines how algorithmic control mechanisms appear in digital health applications for habit formation and how they could be redesigned as autonomy-supportive, evidence-based, and gradually fading support mechanisms. Methodologically, the thesis can be conducted either as a systematic literature review or as an interview study with experts, researchers, or users of digital health applications. | |
| “One last time, then I'll definitely stop” - breaking negative habits | |
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| Every year, we set ourselves the goal of giving up one of our less attractive habits. Some of us want to give up smoking, others want to eat less meat, and others want to cut down on coffee consumption. But giving up unhealthy habits is a challenge. At this point, specific apps such as “Smoke-Free” or “Sugar-Free Challenge” promise to offer support in overcoming these habits. The aim of this thesis is to analyze these apps for a specific use case (e.g., quitting smoking). The aim is to investigate whether they exploit the full potential of digital mechanisms to support habit formation and how the reduction of unhealthy habits differs from the development of healthy habits. | |
| Updating and Analyzing Habit-Tracking Apps | |
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Digital habit-tracking apps support users in establishing new habits and maintaining them over the long term. A previous analysis has already examined various lifestyle and habit-tracking apps with regard to their features and the habits they support. |
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Investigation of Behaviour Change Theories and Measures
| Adoption behavior of digital artifacts under consideration of adopter types |
| The adoption of digital artifacts is significantly influenced by different types of adopters, each of which requires different conditions in order to accept and effectively use digital solutions. According to diffusion theory, adopters can be divided into groups such as innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards. Each of these groups has specific requirements for digital transformation, such as technological support, trust in digital systems, usability, or adaptation to existing work processes. The thesis could investigate what conditions are required for the different types of adopters to accept digital artifacts and integrate them into their work in the long term. Another exciting question is which types of adopters are more likely to be present in which medical domains and what mix constitutes an optimal digitalization culture. |
HBCSS-Interfaces (Conversational Agents and Virtual Coaches)
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Virtual Coaching |
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| Software products are increasingly being recognized in modern medicine as a means of medical and, above all, behavioral intervention. Humanized digital avatars, implemented in the form of virtual coaches, are intended to help actively train and educate patients in health behavior, training measures, and skills. Research and development potential lies in the adaptation of avatar behavior based on contextual information, the technological design of such coaches, and research into the perception of such coaches on the part of service providers and all those involved. Another aspect of research is investigating the use of VC in specific healthcare domains. One example would be the use of virtual coaches in a clinical setting. As patient companions, they could support the PROM/PRE assessment or provide useful information on upcoming treatment. Numerous design issues still need to be clarified. | |
| Use of virtual coaching in an inpatient setting |
| AI-based virtual coaches have already proven themselves in studies as digital patient companions in everyday life but are not yet widely used in inpatient hospital settings. These technologies could help patients through individualized support during their inpatient stay by providing information on treatment, promoting the recovery process, and facilitating communication with medical staff. This study examines the potential of using such systems in the inpatient setting, the barriers to implementation in hospitals, and the expected impact on patient care and experience |
General topics
| Approaches and Strategies for the Dissemination of Open-Source Software and Community Building |
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This thesis investigates approaches and strategies for the dissemination of open-source software in the healthcare sector, with a particular focus on developing a sustainable, community-based business model for a patient portal. The central question is how community building can increase the adoption and use of the portal while ensuring long-term support and further development. |
If you are interested, please e-mail a brief presentation of your ideas or subject interests, including your CV, to .