Designing sophisticated and interactive digital interventions, without coding and at little to no cost: The Computerized Intervention Authoring System v. 3.0
2025 PRE-CON WORKSHOP
Monday Afternoon, August 4, 2025
The following pre-conference workshop will be available for registration through the ISRII 13th Scientific Meeting registration form. The workshop will run for half a day (3.5 hours) Monday afternoon, August 4, 2025.
To register for this workshop, simply select this session on the second page of the registration form.
Workshop length: Half-day
Presenters:
Steven J. Ondersma, PhD
Jordan M. Braciszewski, PhD
Amy M. Loree, PhD
Frank Mueller, PhD
Eva Noack, MD, PhD, Michigan State University, Henry Ford Health, University Medical Center Göttingen
Description
The Computerized Intervention Authoring System (CIAS; www.cias.app) is an NIH-funded, open-source, non-commercial platform that enables researchers to easily develop, edit, and share sophisticated interactive content without coding of any kind. Interventions built with CIAS deploy as cross-platform compatible web/mobile web apps of any duration, with easy personalization, integrated one- and two-way tailored SMS, optional animated narrators who speak aloud in over 40 languages, and instant translation. Researchers can either use the hosted platform at Michigan State University to build and deploy their interventions (without worrying about the technicalities of platform maintenance) or deploy the platform on their server. A GDPR-compliant instance of CIAS—which will be available to researchers throughout the EU—is also in process at University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany.
This workshop will proceed in four phases. First, we will highlight the advantages of mobile web apps and no-code Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms. Second, we will introduce attendees to CIAS 3.0, highlighting key features and capabilities, followed by independent practice while the presenters circulate and provide guidance. Third, we will consolidate learning from the prior section by helping attendees develop a simple app. Fourth and finally, the presenters will share their experience in disseminating and implementing CIAS-developed applications in healthcare settings. Workshop attendees will leave with the information and skills needed to start developing their own custom digital interventions using CIAS, including access to templates and training resources.
Key learning objectives:
- Workshop participants will understand the implications of a no-code, open-source digital intervention development platform and how it can accelerate research.
- Participants will understand how to access and use CIAS to develop any kind of digital intervention, in any language, and how to use additional features like tailored SMS, aggregate data visualization, and secure live chat.
- Participants will learn how to access ongoing CIAS support and how to collaborate on intervention development with other teams.
*Registered participants are requested to bring their own laptop to be able to work on CIAS platform during the workshop.
Images below are just small examples of the CIAS dashboard and what you can create with it.
