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Walk with Me Hybrid Virtual/In-Person Walking for Older Adults with Neurodegenerative Disease
Published on: June 16, 2023
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Goals and Social Comparisons Promote Walking Behavior.
Gretchen B Chapman1, Helen Colby2, Kimberly Convery1
1Institute for Health, Healthcare Policy, and Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA (GBC, KC)
Summary
Setting higher walking goals and providing social comparison feedback significantly increased daily steps. A high walking goal led to more steps than a medium goal, and social comparison enhanced pedometer effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Economics
- Social Psychology
- Health Behavior Interventions
Background:
- Pedometer interventions are common for increasing physical activity.
- Effectiveness can be influenced by goal setting and social feedback.
- Understanding these influences is key for optimizing health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how manipulated walking goals affect pedometer intervention effectiveness.
- To examine the impact of social comparison feedback on pedometer use.
- To apply principles from behavioral economics and social psychology to health behavior design.
Main Methods:
- Study 1: University staff (n=148) assigned low, medium, or high walking goals (10-100% increase).
- Study 2: Participants (n=64) received individual feedback or individual plus social comparison feedback.
- Measured daily step counts as the primary outcome.
Main Results:
- A high walking goal increased daily steps by 1358 compared to a medium goal (p < .001).
- A medium goal did not significantly increase steps over a low goal.
- Social comparison feedback increased daily steps by 1120 compared to individual feedback alone (p < .001).
Conclusions:
- Both goal difficulty and social comparison significantly enhance pedometer intervention effectiveness.
- Goals and peer performance serve as crucial reference points for behavior change.
- Findings support the integration of behavioral economics and social psychology in designing health interventions.
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