Contingency contracting to enhance patient compliance: a review

Researchers and practitioners have expressed considerable interest in contingency contracting as a promising intervention strategy for enlisting patient cooperation, particularly with regard to long-term treatment regimens. After brief examination of the theoretical background, the authors summarize advantages of contracting, describe elements essential to the development of a contract, and enumerate those ingredients in the contracting process thought to be critical for achieving optimal results. They review relevant research efforts in terms of their designs, methods, target and contracted health-related behaviors, contingencies employed, and initial and follow-up results. On the basis of this review, current issues regarding contingency contracting are raised, and practical considerations for large-scale application are noted along with recommendations for future research.