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A Cluster-Randomized Trial on Small Incentives to Promote Physical Activity
Jan-Niklas Kramer1, Peter Tinschert1, Urte Scholz2
1Center for Digital Health Interventions, Institute of Technology Management, University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|December 17, 2018
Summary
Small financial incentives, like personal or charity rewards, significantly boosted participation in a physical activity program. However, these incentives did not sustain long-term behavior change or reduce attrition.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited research exists on the effectiveness of small financial incentives for promoting physical activity.
- Financial incentives are increasingly explored to enhance engagement in health promotion programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of personal and charity financial incentives on participation and engagement in a physical activity program.
- To assess the effects of incentives on daily step counts and program attrition.
Main Methods:
- A three-arm cluster-randomized trial was conducted involving a Swiss health insurance company.
- Participants received either personal financial incentives, charity financial incentives, or no incentive (control).
- Incentives were provided for achieving an average daily step count of over 10,000 steps.
Main Results:
- Participation rates were significantly higher in both the personal (5.94%) and charity (4.98%) incentive groups compared to the control group (3.23%).
- The charity incentive group showed an initial increase in achieving 10,000 steps daily, but this effect diminished after three months.
- No significant differences were observed in daily steps or non-usage attrition between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Small financial incentives can effectively increase initial participation in physical activity programs.
- Incentive structures may require modification to ensure sustained behavior change and prevent attrition over time.
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