Table 4 BCTs identified and design requirements for mHealth intervention

1.1 Goal setting (behavior)

Personalized exercise prescription module (for patients)

Set goals and deliver exercise prescriptions for patients using the app. (1.1, 1.4)

1.4 Action planning

4.1 Instruction on how to perform a behavior

Provide step-by-step instructions on how to perform an exercise for patients, such as videos, audios and images. (4.1, 6.1, 8.1)

6.1 Demonstration of the behavior

Tell patients what to do directly. (7.1)

7.1 Prompts/cues

Exercise prescription should be graded and stepwise in intensity. (8.7)

8.1 Behavioral practice/rehearsal

Provide portable devices such as activity tracker. (12.5)

8.7 Graded tasks

12.5 Adding objects to the environment

1.2 Problem solving

Control of management process

Self-monitor and record exercise-related data using the app. (2.3)

1.5 Review behavior goal(s)

Support from family or HCPs. (3.1)

1.6 Discrepancy between current behavior and goal

Review and compare exercise-related records uploaded with the prescribed plan; Feedback the comparison results to patients; Modify the personalized exercise prescription according to the results. (1.5, 1.6, 2.2)

2.2 Feedback on behavior

2.3 self-monitoring of behavior

3.1 Social Support (unspecified)

Solve problems in the home-based PR process. (1.2)

2.7 Feedback on outcome(s) of behavior

Education and feedback (for HCPs)

Follow-up and feedback the health-related changes during this time. (2.7)

5.1 Information about health consequences

Provide counseling by HCPs or health education to inform patients of the benefits of PR. (5.1)

10.4 Social reward

Reward patients with high compliance. (10.4)

12.1 Restructuring the physical environment

Provide technical support for HCPs with mHealth. (12.1)