Researchers in Singapore tested a new health app called “LvL UP” that helps people improve their exercise, eating habits, and mental health all in one place. The app uses a chatbot for coaching and can connect users with real people for extra support. In an eight-week test with 123 adults, the app worked well—most people stuck with it, and those who used it showed signs of better sleep and mood. The study shows this type of app is ready to be tested on a larger scale to see if it really helps people stay healthier long-term.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a new health coaching app called LvL UP could successfully help people improve their fitness, diet, sleep, and mental health at the same time, and whether the app’s system of adapting to different users actually worked.
  • Who participated: 123 adults living in Singapore, aged 21-59 years old, who were at risk of developing long-term health problems like diabetes or heart disease. About two-thirds used the LvL UP app while one-third used a comparison app with basic health information.
  • Key finding: The app was practical to use and keep people engaged—91.5% of app users and 92.7% of comparison users completed the full eight weeks. People using LvL UP showed improvements in sleep (about 30 minutes more per week), mood, and stress levels, though these improvements were modest.
  • What it means for you: If you struggle to stick with health changes, an app that combines coaching for exercise, food, and emotions might help you stay motivated. However, this is early-stage research—larger studies are needed to prove the app truly prevents disease. Talk to your doctor before starting any new health program.

The Research Details

Researchers recruited 123 adults and randomly assigned them to two groups: one group used the LvL UP app (which has a chatbot coach plus a real person called a “Buddy” for support), and the other group used a basic comparison app with health facts. After four weeks, researchers checked who was actually using the app. People who weren’t using it much (fewer than 6 sessions or rated it low) got a chance to try something different—either continuing as-is or getting three extra coaching sessions with a real human coach. Everyone was tracked for eight weeks total.

This design is special because it lets researchers test whether the app works better when it adapts to different people’s needs. Instead of everyone getting the same thing, the study changed what some people received based on how they were doing after four weeks. This is like a video game that gets harder or easier based on your performance.

The researchers measured whether the study itself could actually work (could they recruit enough people? Would people stick with it? Would they complete the surveys?). They also measured whether people’s health improved in areas like sleep, mood, exercise, and eating habits.

Most health apps focus on just one thing—like counting steps or tracking calories—but real life is more complicated. This study tested whether an app that helps with multiple areas at once (exercise, food, emotions, sleep) works better. The adaptive design is important because it recognizes that different people respond differently to coaching, so the app can change its approach for people who need extra help.

This was a well-designed pilot study with clear goals and a comparison group, which makes the results more trustworthy than just asking people if they liked the app. The study had high completion rates (over 91%), meaning most people who started finished it. However, this was a small, short study (only 123 people for eight weeks) in one country, so results might not apply everywhere. The study was registered in advance (ClinicalTrials.gov), which is a good sign of transparency. The main weakness was that people didn’t use the app as much as researchers hoped (39.5% completed the target number of sessions instead of the hoped-for 70%), which suggests the app might need improvements to keep people engaged.

What the Results Show

The study successfully showed that LvL UP could be delivered and tested. Most people who started the study finished it (91.5% of app users, 92.7% of comparison group), and most surveys were completed (87.8% data completion). About 95% of app users were successfully paired with a real person (Buddy) for support, which was a key goal.

When researchers looked at who wasn’t responding well to the app after four weeks, they found 46.3% of app users weren’t using it enough. When these people were offered extra coaching sessions with a real coach, about half of them completed all three sessions. This suggests that some people benefit from human contact when an app alone isn’t working.

For health improvements, people using LvL UP showed positive trends: their sleep increased by about 30 minutes per week, their mood improved slightly, and their stress levels decreased a bit. While these changes were small, they all pointed in the right direction. The study met five of six success targets that researchers had set before starting, suggesting the app is ready for larger testing.

Beyond the main findings, researchers noticed that people who got extra coaching sessions from a human coach showed promise, with about half completing all three sessions. This suggests that combining app coaching with human support might help people who struggle with motivation. The study also showed that the app worked well for keeping people engaged over eight weeks, with very few people dropping out.

Previous health apps often focus on single topics (just exercise, or just diet), but this study tested a more complete approach covering exercise, food, emotions, and sleep together. The idea of adapting the app based on how people respond is newer—most apps give everyone the same experience. The results fit with other research showing that combining technology with human support works better than either one alone. The engagement rates (39.5% completing target sessions) are lower than some other health apps report, suggesting LvL UP needs improvements to keep people interested.

This was a small, short study with only 123 people in Singapore, so results might not apply to other countries or larger groups. Eight weeks is not very long—we don’t know if people keep improving or stick with the app after the study ends. The study didn’t measure whether the app actually prevented diseases like diabetes; it only measured smaller changes like sleep and mood. The app engagement was lower than hoped, which means some people weren’t using it as much as researchers expected. The study didn’t compare LvL UP to other popular health apps, so we don’t know if it’s better than what’s already available. Finally, people who volunteered for the study might be more motivated than the general population, so results might look better than they would in real life.

The Bottom Line

Based on this early research, LvL UP appears to be a feasible and potentially helpful tool for people trying to improve their overall health. However, confidence in these recommendations is moderate because this is a small pilot study. The app seems most promising when combined with human coaching support, especially for people who struggle to stay motivated. If you’re interested in trying it, discuss it with your doctor first, especially if you have existing health conditions. The app works best as part of a complete health plan, not as a replacement for medical care.

This research is most relevant for adults aged 21-59 who want to improve their health but struggle with motivation or sticking to plans. It’s particularly interesting for people who like using technology and prefer getting support from both apps and real people. People with serious mental health conditions or complex medical problems should talk to their doctor before using the app. This research is also important for app developers and health organizations thinking about creating new health tools.

In this eight-week study, people saw small improvements in sleep and mood relatively quickly. However, this is a very short timeframe. Real health changes—like losing weight, improving fitness, or preventing disease—typically take months to years. You should expect to give the app at least 8-12 weeks of consistent use before deciding if it’s working for you. If you’re not seeing any changes after three months, talk to your doctor or a health coach about adjusting your approach.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your weekly sleep duration (in hours), daily mood rating (1-10 scale), and number of coaching sessions completed per week. This mirrors what the LvL UP study measured and gives you concrete numbers to watch improve over time.
  • Start by committing to at least one coaching session per week with the app’s chatbot, and if available, schedule one check-in with a human coach or buddy every two weeks. If you notice you’re not using the app after four weeks, request additional human coaching support rather than giving up—the study showed this helps people re-engage.
  • Use the app’s built-in tracking features to log your sleep, mood, exercise, and meals weekly. Every four weeks, review your progress on these metrics. If you’re not improving or losing motivation, reach out for human support through the app’s buddy system or coaching feature rather than stopping. Track whether you’re completing at least 6 sessions per week, as this was the threshold for ‘responding well’ in the study.

This research is a pilot study testing whether an app can be delivered and evaluated, not a definitive proof that it prevents disease. The findings are preliminary and based on a small group of people in Singapore over eight weeks. Before starting any new health program, including using this app, consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you have existing health conditions, take medications, or have mental health concerns. This app should complement, not replace, medical care from your doctor. Individual results vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. The app is still being developed and tested, so features and effectiveness may change.