Development of a Theoretically Informed Web-Based Mind-Body Wellness Intervention for Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis: Formative Study

Background: Mind-body interventions have the potential to positively impact the symptom burden associated with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Interventions are more likely to be effective if they are informed by a theoretical framework. The Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) and the behaviour change technique taxonomy version 1 (BCTv1) provide frameworks for intervention development. Objective: This study describes how theory has guided the development of a 12-week multicomponent mind-body wellness intervention for PBC. Methods: The steps involved in developing the BCW intervention included specifying the target behavior; explaining barriers and facilitators using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour and the theoretical domains framework; identifying intervention functions to target explanatory domains; and selecting relevant behavior change techniques to address intervention functions. Qualitative data from patients with inflammatory bowel disease using an earlier version of the program and feedback from a PBC patient advisory team were used to guide intervention development. Results: Barriers and facilitators to intervention participation associated with capability, opportunity, and motivation were identified. Intervention functions and behavior change techniques were identified to target each barrier and facilitator. Conclusions: The Peace Power Pack PBC intervention was developed to help individuals with PBC manage their symptom burden. The theoretical frameworks employed in this intervention provide direction on targeting antecedents of behavior and allow standardized reporting of intervention components.