The combined effect of behavioural activation system and perceived anthropomorphism on individuals’ intention to use digital therapeutics tools for asthma and respiratory-related diseases

The integration of Digital Therapeutics (DTx) is profoundly transforming patients’ care management. Original combinations of IoT medical devices and related mobile applications resulting in DTx, may boost patients’ engagement and adherence to treatment regimens, resulting as ‘intelligent’ assistants in patients’ health recovery. In this paper we conducted a study among a sample of 507 participants by setting a prototype of DTx able to monitor respiratory-related diseases as a setting. Results demonstrated that individuals’ perceived product intelligence of such digital tools led to higher intention to use, through the effect of their Behavioural Activation System, that is, the psychological mechanism influencing their motivation towards engaging in rewarding and goal-directed behaviours. Moreover, individuals’ perceived anthropomorphism of these tools, in terms of individuals’ tendency attribute human-like characteristics or emotions to non-human entities such in these technological tools, increase such effect.