Chatbot Design for a Healthy Life to Celiac Patients: A Study According to a New Behavior Change Model

There is an absolute need for technology in our daily life that makes people busy with their smartphones all day long. In the healthcare field, mobile apps have been widely used for the treatment of many diseases. Most of these apps were designed without considering health behavior change models. Celiac disease is a significant public health problem worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, the incidence of celiac disease is 1.5% Celiac patients have a natural demand for resources to facilitate care and research; however, they have not received much attention in the field of healthcare apps. This study introduced a new health behavior change model based on the existing common models and adapted it to the use of technology for the changing behavior of celiac patients towards healthy suitable food. As proof of concept, the new model was applied to the WhatsApp chatbot for patients with celiac disease. To test the impact of the chatbot, 60 Saudi celiac patients participated in three steps. First, they completed a pre-test questionnaire. Then, the participants were divided into two groups: the control group, which was left without any intervention, and the test group, who used the chatbot for 90 days. Finally, all participants completed the post-test questionnaire. The results confirmed a significant statistical difference between both groups, and the test group improved their healthy life in terms of eating habits, reduced celiac symptoms, and commitment to the treatment plan.