Nudging Interventions on Stair Use: A Scoping Review.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Physical Activity Promotion

Background:

• Stair use is an accessible physical activity with significant health benefits.
• Nudges are cost-effective tools increasingly used in public health to promote healthy behaviors.
• Promoting stair use can increase daily physical activity levels in the general population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effectiveness and characteristics of nudging interventions designed to promote stair use.
• To synthesize evidence on how nudges influence the choice between stairs and elevators/escalators.
• To identify key features of successful nudges for increasing stair usage.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review of literature published between January 2009 and May 2022.
• Searches conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Mendeley, and Google Scholar.
• Inclusion of original studies targeting healthy adults, reporting nudging interventions, and comparing stair use to elevators/escalators.

Main Results:

• Out of 118 initial publications, 27 articles were included in the final analysis.
• The majority of nudging interventions demonstrated a significant positive effect on stair use across various settings.
• Nudges were found to be effective in encouraging individuals to choose stairs over elevators or escalators.

Conclusions:

• Nudging interventions are a viable strategy for promoting physical activity through increased stair usage.
• Integrating nudges into public health initiatives can effectively encourage healthier lifestyle choices.
• Emphasis on preventive measures like stair use promotion can lead to improved population health outcomes.