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Pearson E, Prapavessis H, Higgins C, Petrella R, White L, Mitchell M. Adding team-based financial incentives to the Carrot Rewards physical activity app increases daily step count on a population scale: a 24-week matched case control study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2020; 17:139. [PMID: 33208166 PMCID: PMC7677847 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-020-01043-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) targeting physical inactivity have increased in popularity yet are usually limited by low engagement. This study examined the impact of adding team-based incentives (Step Together Challenges, STCs) to an existing mHealth app (Carrot Rewards) that rewarded individual physical activity achievements. Methods A 24-week quasi-experimental study (retrospective matched pairs design) was conducted in three Canadian provinces (pre-intervention: weeks 1–12; intervention: weeks 13–24). Participants who used Carrot Rewards and STCs (experimental group) were matched with those who used Carrot Rewards only (controls) on age, gender, province and baseline mean daily step count (±500 steps/d). Carrot Rewards users earned individual-level incentives (worth $0.04 CAD) each day they reached a personalized daily step goal. With a single partner, STC users could earn team incentives ($0.40 CAD) for collaboratively reaching individual daily step goals 10 times in seven days (e.g., Partner A completes four goals and Partner B completes six goals in a week). Results The main analysis included 61,170 users (mean age = 32 yrs.; % female = 64). Controlling for pre-intervention mean daily step count, a significant difference in intervention mean daily step count favoured the experimental group (p < 0.0001; ηp2 = 0.024). The estimated marginal mean group difference was 537 steps per day, or 3759 steps per week (about 40 walking min/wk). Linear regression suggested a dose-response relationship between the number of STCs completed (app engagement) and intervention mean daily step count (adjusted R2 = 0.699) with each new STC corresponding to approximately 200 more steps per day. Conclusion Despite an explosion of physical activity app interest, low engagement leading to small or no effects remains an industry hallmark. In this paper, we found that adding modest team-based incentives to the Carrot Rewards app increased mean daily step count, and importantly, app engagement moderated this effect. Others should consider novel small-teams based approaches to boost engagement and effects. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12966-020-01043-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Pearson
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Kinesiology, Western University, Arts & Humanities Building, Room 3R12B, London, Ontario, N6A 5B9, Canada
| | - Harry Prapavessis
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Kinesiology, Western University, Arts & Humanities Building, Room 3R12B, London, Ontario, N6A 5B9, Canada
| | | | - Robert Petrella
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Kinesiology, Western University, Arts & Humanities Building, Room 3R12B, London, Ontario, N6A 5B9, Canada.,Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Marc Mitchell
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Kinesiology, Western University, Arts & Humanities Building, Room 3R12B, London, Ontario, N6A 5B9, Canada. .,Carrot Insights Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Finkelstein EA, Lim RSM, Ward DS, Evenson KR. Leveraging family dynamics to increase the effectiveness of incentives for physical activity: the FIT-FAM randomized controlled trial. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2020; 17:113. [PMID: 32912260 PMCID: PMC7488241 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-020-01018-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insufficient physical activity is a global public health concern. Research indicates incentives can increase physical activity levels of children but has not tested whether incentives targeted at children can be leveraged to increase physical activity levels of their parents. This study evaluates whether a novel incentive design linking children's incentives to both their and their parent's physical activity levels can increase parent's physical activity. METHODS We conducted a two-arm, parallel, open-labelled randomized controlled trial in Singapore where parent-child dyads were randomly assigned to either (1) rewards to child contingent on child's physical activity (child-based) or (2) rewards to child contingent on both child's and parent's physical activity (family-based). Parents had to be English-speaking, computer-literate, non-pregnant, full-time employees, aged 25-65 years, and with a participating child aged 7-11 years. Parent-child dyads were randomized within strata (self-reported low vs high weekly physical activity) into study arms in a 1:1 ratio. Participants were given activity trackers to assess daily steps. The outcome of interest was the between-arm difference in the change from baseline in parent's mean steps/day measured by accelerometry at months 6 and 12 (primary endpoint). RESULTS Overall, 159 and 157 parent-child dyads were randomized to the child-based or family-based arms, respectively. Outcomes were evaluated on an intent-to-treat basis. At month 6, there was a 613 steps/day (95% CI: 54-1171) differential in favour of family-based parents. At month 12, our primary endpoint, the differential was reduced to 369 steps/day (95% CI: - 88-1114) and was no longer statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that novel incentive designs that take advantage of group dynamics may be effective. However, in this design, the effectiveness of the family-based incentive to increase parent's physical activity was not sustained through one year. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02516345 (ClinicalTrials.gov) registered on August 5, 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Andrew Finkelstein
- Programme in Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.
| | - Robyn Su May Lim
- Programme in Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Dianne Stanton Ward
- Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, 1700 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard #7426, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Kelly R Evenson
- Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, 1700 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard #7426, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-8050, USA
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Brower J, LaBarge MC, White L, Mitchell MS. Examining Responsiveness to an Incentive-Based Mobile Health App: Longitudinal Observational Study. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e16797. [PMID: 32773371 PMCID: PMC7445608 DOI: 10.2196/16797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Carrot Rewards app was developed as part of a public-private partnership to reward Canadians with loyalty points for downloading the app, referring friends, completing educational health quizzes, and health-related behaviors with long-term objectives of increasing health knowledge and encouraging healthy behaviors. During the first 3 months after program rollout in British Columbia, a number of program design elements were adjusted, creating observed differences between groups of users with respect to the potential impact of program features on user engagement levels. Objective This study examines the impact of reducing reward size over time and explored the influence of other program features such as quiz timing, health intervention content, and type of reward program on user engagement with a mobile health (mHealth) app. Methods Participants in this longitudinal, nonexperimental observational study included British Columbia citizens who downloaded the app between March and July 2016. A regression methodology was used to examine the impact of changes to several program design features on quiz offer acceptance and engagement with this mHealth app. Results Our results, based on the longitudinal app use of 54,917 users (mean age 35, SD 13.2 years; 65.03% [35,647/54,917] female), indicated that the key drivers of the likelihood of continued user engagement, in order of greatest to least impact, were (1) type of rewards earned by users (eg, movies [+355%; P<.001], air travel [+210%; P<.001], and grocery [+140%; P<.001] relative to gas), (2) time delay between early offers (−64%; P<.001), (3) the content of the health intervention (eg, healthy eating [−10%; P<.001] vs exercise [+20%, P<.001] relative to health risk assessments), and (4) changes in the number of points offered. Our results demonstrate that reducing the number of points associated with a particular quiz by 10% only led to a 1% decrease in the likelihood of offer response (P<.001) and that each of the other design features had larger impacts on participant retention than did changes in the number of points. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate that this program, built around the principles of behavioral economics in the form of the ongoing awarding of a small number of reward points instantly following the completion of health interventions, was able to drive significantly higher engagement levels than those demonstrated in previous literature exploring the intersection of mHealth apps and financial incentives. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of incentive matters to user engagement; however, our results indicate that the number of points offered for these reward point–based health interventions is less important than other program design features such as the type of reward points being offered, the timing of intervention and reward offers, and the content of the health interventions in driving continued engagement by users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Brower
- Smith School of Business, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Monica C LaBarge
- Smith School of Business, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | | | - Marc S Mitchell
- School of Kinesiology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Wurst R, Maliezefski A, Ramsenthaler C, Brame J, Fuchs R. Effects of Incentives on Adherence to a Web-Based Intervention Promoting Physical Activity: Naturalistic Study. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e18338. [PMID: 32729835 PMCID: PMC7426800 DOI: 10.2196/18338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite many advantages of web-based health behavior interventions such as wide accessibility or low costs, these interventions are often accompanied by high attrition rates, particularly in usage under real-life conditions. It would therefore be helpful to implement strategies such as the use of financial incentives to motivate program participation and increase adherence. Objective This naturalistic study examined real-life usage data of a 12-week web-based physical activity (PA) intervention (Fitness Coach) among insurants who participated in an additional incentive program (incentive group) and those who did not (nonincentive group). Users in the incentive group had the perspective of receiving €30 (about US $33) cash back at the end of the intervention. Methods Registration and real-life usage data as part of routine data management and evaluation of the Fitness Coach were analyzed between September 2016 and June 2018. Depending on the duration of use and the weekly recording of tasks, 4 adherence groups (low, occasional, strong, and complete adherence) were defined. Demographic characteristics were collected by a self-reported questionnaire at registration. We analyzed baseline predictors and moderators of complete adherence such as participation in the program, age, gender, and BMI using binary logistic regressions. Results A total of 18,613 eligible persons registered for the intervention. Of these, 15,482 users chose to participate in the incentive program (incentive group): mean age 42.4 (SD 14.4) years, mean BMI 24.5 (SD 4.0) kg/m2, median (IQR) BMI 23.8 (21.7-26.4) kg/m2; 65.12% (10,082/15,482) female; and 3131 users decided not to use the incentive program (nonincentive group): mean age 40.7 (SD 13.4) years, mean BMI 26.2 (SD 5.0) kg/m2, median BMI 25.3 (IQR 22.6-28.7) kg/m2; 72.18% (2260/3131) female. At the end of the intervention, participants in the incentive program group showed 4.8 times higher complete adherence rates than those in the nonincentive program group (39.2% vs 8.1%), also yielding significantly higher odds to complete the intervention (odds ratio [OR] 12.638) for the incentive program group. Gender significantly moderated the effect with men in the incentive group showing higher odds to be completely adherent than women overall and men in the nonincentive group (OR 1.761). Furthermore, older age and male gender were significant predictors of complete adherence for all participants, whereas BMI did not predict intervention completion. Conclusions This is the first naturalistic study in the field of web-based PA interventions that shows the potential of even small financial incentives to increase program adherence. Male users, in particular, seem to be strongly motivated by incentives to complete the intervention. Based on these findings, health care providers can use differentiated incentive systems to increase regular participation in web-based PA interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Wurst
- Department of Sport and Sport Science, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Judith Brame
- Department of Sport and Sport Science, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Reinhard Fuchs
- Department of Sport and Sport Science, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Kramer JN, Künzler F, Mishra V, Smith SN, Kotz D, Scholz U, Fleisch E, Kowatsch T. Which Components of a Smartphone Walking App Help Users to Reach Personalized Step Goals? Results From an Optimization Trial. Ann Behav Med 2020; 54:518-528. [PMID: 32182353 PMCID: PMC7291330 DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaaa002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Assistant to Lift your Level of activitY (Ally) app is a smartphone application that combines financial incentives with chatbot-guided interventions to encourage users to reach personalized daily step goals. PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of incentives, weekly planning, and daily self-monitoring prompts that were used as intervention components as part of the Ally app. METHODS We conducted an 8 week optimization trial with n = 274 insurees of a health insurance company in Switzerland. At baseline, participants were randomized to different incentive conditions (cash incentives vs. charity incentives vs. no incentives). Over the course of the study, participants were randomized weekly to different planning conditions (action planning vs. coping planning vs. no planning) and daily to receiving or not receiving a self-monitoring prompt. Primary outcome was the achievement of personalized daily step goals. RESULTS Study participants were more active and healthier than the general Swiss population. Daily cash incentives increased step-goal achievement by 8.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI): [2.1, 14.1] and, only in the no-incentive control group, action planning increased step-goal achievement by 5.8%, 95% CI: [1.2, 10.4]. Charity incentives, self-monitoring prompts, and coping planning did not affect physical activity. Engagement with planning interventions and self-monitoring prompts was low and 30% of participants stopped using the app over the course of the study. CONCLUSIONS Daily cash incentives increased physical activity in the short term. Planning interventions and self-monitoring prompts require revision before they can be included in future versions of the app. Selection effects and engagement can be important challenges for physical-activity apps. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03384550.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Niklas Kramer
- Institute of Technology Management (ITEM), University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Florian Künzler
- Department of Management, Technology and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Varun Mishra
- Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Shawna N Smith
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - David Kotz
- Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
- Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Urte Scholz
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elgar Fleisch
- Institute of Technology Management (ITEM), University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Department of Management, Technology and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Kowatsch
- Institute of Technology Management (ITEM), University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
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Mitchell M, Lau E, White L, Faulkner G. Commercial app use linked with sustained physical activity in two Canadian provinces: a 12-month quasi-experimental study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2020; 17:24. [PMID: 32098625 PMCID: PMC7043029 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-020-00926-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Top tier commercial physical activity apps rarely undergo peer-reviewed evaluation. Even fewer are assessed beyond six months, the theoretical threshold for behaviour maintenance. The purpose of this study was to examine whether a multi-component commercial app rewarding users with digital incentives for walking was associated with an increase in physical activity over one year. Methods This 12-month quasi-experimental study was conducted in two Canadian provinces (n = 39,113 participants). Following a two-week baseline period, participants earned digital incentives ($0.04 CAD/day) every day they reached a personalized daily step goal. Mixed-effects models estimated changes in weekly mean daily step count between the baseline period and the last two recorded weeks. Models were fit for several engagement groups and separately by baseline physical activity status within engagement groups. Results Nearly half of participants (43%) were categorized as physically inactive at baseline (fewer than 5000 daily steps), and 60% engaged with the app for at least six months [‘Regular’ (24–51 weeks of step data) or ‘Committed’ sub-groups (52 weeks)]. Weekly mean daily step count increased for physically inactive users regardless of engagement status (P < .0001). The increase was largest for ‘Regular’ and ‘Committed’ participants—1215 and 1821 steps/day, respectively. For physically active participants, step count increases were only observed in the ‘Committed’ sub-group (P < .0001). Effect sizes were modest-to-medium depending on the sub-group analyzed. Conclusions A commercial app providing small but immediate digital incentives for individualized goals was associated with an increased weekly mean daily step count on a population-scale over one year. This effect was more evident for physically inactive and more engaged participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Mitchell
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Kinesiology, Arts & Humanities Building, Western University, Room 3R12B, London, Ontario, N6A 5B9, Canada. .,Carrot Insights Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Erica Lau
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Guy Faulkner
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Rovniak LS, Adams MA, Sciamanna CN, Kong L, Sullivan N, Costalas S, Bopp M, Kuzmik A. Effects of Bluetooth-Enabled Desk Ellipticals on Office Work Performance: Rationale, Design, and Protocol for a Randomized Trial With Overweight and Obese Adults. JMIR Res Protoc 2020; 9:e16275. [PMID: 31934871 PMCID: PMC6996735 DOI: 10.2196/16275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Workplaces that provide opportunities for physical activity without requiring extra time for activity could help counteract the obesity epidemic. Desk ellipticals can contribute to activity-supportive workplace environments; however, the feasibility of engaging employees in pedaling ellipticals during simultaneous office work has not been well evaluated. Objective We aim to present the rationale and methods from an ongoing randomized trial with overweight and obese employees that will evaluate (1) the effects of pedaling a compact desk elliptical on work performance and (2) the influence of different incentive types and schedules on desk pedaling quantity. Methods Overweight and obese medical center employees are being recruited in dyads for a 2 (gift card type: healthier food vs Amazon) by 3 (gift card schedule: immediate incentive contingent on individual pedaling quantity; immediate incentive partially contingent on dyads’ joint pedaling quantity; and delayed noncontingent pedaling incentive) cluster randomized within-subjects factorial trial. All participants receive a Bluetooth-enabled desk elliptical for 4 weeks and access to a mobile app that provides real-time pedaling feedback. The primary aims are to assess (1) change in employee work performance from pre- to postelliptical installation via employee and supervisor ratings and (2) effects of gift card type and schedule on quantity of objectively measured desk pedaling completed. Results Data collection is ongoing. We expect to complete main outcome analyses in 2020. Conclusions This trial represents one of the earliest attempts to assess the effects of desk pedaling and pedaling-incentive types in real-world offices. It could help bridge the research-to-practice gap by providing evidence on whether desk pedaling can be sustained without compromising work performance. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/16275
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza S Rovniak
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Marc A Adams
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Christopher N Sciamanna
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Lan Kong
- Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Nicole Sullivan
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Sara Costalas
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Melissa Bopp
- Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, United States
| | - Ashley Kuzmik
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
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Rondina Ii R, Pearson EK, Prapavessis H, White L, Richard S, Mitchell MS. Bright spots, physical activity investments that (almost) worked: Carrot Rewards app, driving engagement with pennies a day. Br J Sports Med 2019; 54:927-929. [PMID: 31712256 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-100969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Renante Rondina Ii
- School of Kinesiology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Carrot Insights Inc, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emma K Pearson
- School of Kinesiology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Marc S Mitchell
- School of Kinesiology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Bachireddy C, Joung A, John LK, Gino F, Tuckfield B, Foschini L, Milkman KL. Effect of Different Financial Incentive Structures on Promoting Physical Activity Among Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2:e199863. [PMID: 31441936 PMCID: PMC6714021 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.9863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Few adults engage in recommended levels of physical activity. Financial incentives can promote physical activity, but little is known about how the structure of these incentives influences their effectiveness (eg, how incentives are disbursed over time). OBJECTIVE To determine if it is more effective to disburse fixed total financial incentives at a constant, increasing, or decreasing rate to encourage physical activity. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A 2-week randomized clinical trial was conducted from June 2 to 15, 2014, using an online platform that automatically records daily steps of pedometer-wearing users and awards points redeemable for cash. The study population comprised 3515 adult users of the online platform in the lower 70th percentile of steps taken among all users before treatment. Data analyses were performed from August 20, 2014, to February 1, 2018. Analysis was performed on an intent-to-treat basis. INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomized to either a control group or to 1 of 3 intervention groups during the 2 weeks of the study. Participants in the control group received a constant daily rate of $0.00001 per step. The 3 intervention groups received a 20-fold incentive increase ($0.00020 per step) distributed differently during the 2 weeks of the study: at a constant, increasing, or decreasing rate. Reminder emails explaining incentive schedules were sent the day before the intervention and halfway through the 2-week intervention. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Change in mean daily steps during the 2-week intervention and 3 weeks after the intervention. The study had 80% power to detect a difference of 280 steps per day during the intervention at α = .05. RESULTS The study included 3515 participants (879 in the control condition, 879 in the constant incentive condition, 881 in the increasing incentive condition, and 876 in the decreasing incentive condition). During the intervention, compared with participants in the control group, participants receiving constant incentives logged 306.7 more steps per day (95% CI, 91.5-521.9 steps; P = .005), those receiving decreasing incentives logged 96.9 more steps per day (95% CI, 15.3-178.5 steps; P = .02), and those receiving increasing incentives logged no significant change in steps per day (1.5 steps per day; 95% CI, -81.6 to 84.7 steps; P = .97). One week after the intervention, compared with participants in the control group, only participants receiving constant incentives logged significantly more steps per day (329.5; 95% CI, 20.6-638.4; P = .04). Two and 3 weeks after the intervention, there were no significant differences compared with participants in the control group. Overall, for each $1 spent, participants in the constant incentives group logged 475.4 more steps than those in the increasing incentives group and 429.3 more steps than those in the decreasing incentives group. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study found that financial incentives for physical activity were more effective during a payment period when they were offered at a constant rate rather than an increasing or decreasing rate. However, this effectiveness dissipated shortly after the incentives were removed. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02154256.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chethan Bachireddy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond
- Leonard Davis Institute Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Andrew Joung
- Operations, Information and Decisions Department, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Leslie K. John
- Negotiation, Organizations and Markets Unit, Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Francesca Gino
- Negotiation, Organizations and Markets Unit, Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bradford Tuckfield
- Operations, Information and Decisions Department, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | | | - Katherine L. Milkman
- Operations, Information and Decisions Department, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
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