The “AiM App to Improve Motivation” is the output of three years research by Dr Daniel Bressington and Harvey Wells. Motivational therapies are currently available for weight management, smoking, controlling alcohol and drug use, exercising, studying, work-life balance and managing medication.
AIM is based on the clinical principles of “Motivational Interviewing” which is clinically proven to help people make lifestyle changes and stick with them. AIM is personalized at the onset by questions that a user answers as to the specific reasons for change the user wants to initiate.
One user of the app, David Condon, reviewed AiM app and said: “The app is incredibly helpful for anyone seeking change or professionals facilitating it. It gives excellent guidance on ways of making change happen. It is an easy wonderful tool to refer to. I highly recommend it.”
Wells commented on why the app was different: “The difference with AiM is that it promotes motivation rather than focusing on information-based interventions. These interventions are aimed at increasing the person’s awareness of the risks or harms associated with not changing their behaviour. The use of ‘fear-arousing’ messages often fails to work as we can easily find evidence that undermines these warnings, i.e. ‘one cigarette won’t kill me one hamburger won’t make me fat.’ It is the long term use of these behaviours that is the problem. People need to be supported and guided to make changes, not told by an authority that what they are doing is wrong and harmful.”
The app also includes innovative features such as a location alarm. Based on your location, if places that might compromise your situation, such as bars and pubs, are nearby, an alarm sounds to alert you.The set up can also trigger a congratulatory message if a user arrives at a specific location, such as a gym, at a particular time.
