Design Requirements for Gamified Exercise Apps for Adults With Prehypertension Based on the Octalysis Framework and Self-Determination Theory: Qualitative Interview Study

This theory-informed qualitative study is among the first to explore the needs and preferences of individuals with prehypertension for gamified exercise apps by integrating the Octalysis Gamification Framework with SDT. The findings suggest that successful gamified exercise apps for prehypertensive individuals may benefit from going beyond traditional game mechanics to address deeper psychological needs. Participants emphasized the importance of personalized exercise programming, robust health monitoring capabilities, and human-centered gamification designs that support autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Satisfaction of these basic psychological needs is critical for transforming extrinsic motivations, such as weight management and health values, into intrinsic enjoyment of exercise. By integrating a theoretical basis with user-centered perspectives, this study provides context-specific design implications for future development of gamified exercise apps tailored to prehypertensive individuals in similar digital health contexts.