Cited by 145Physical Activity and HealthBehavioral Health and InterventionsMobile Health and mHealth Applications

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Financial incentives for physical activity in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis

Mitchell, Marc S, Orstad, Stephanie L, Biswas, Aviroop, Oh, Paul I, Jay, Melanie, Pakosh, Maureen T, Faulkner, Guy·2020·British Journal of Sports Medicine

DOI 10.1136/bjsports-2019-100633

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Abstract

Objective: The use of financial incentives to promote physical activity (PA) has grown in popularity due in part to technological advances that make it easier to track and reward PA. The purpose of this study was to update the evidence on the effects of incentives on PA in adults. Data sources: Medline, PubMed, Embase, PsychINFO, CCTR, CINAHL and COCH. Eligibility criteria: Randomised controlled trials (RCT) published between 2012 and May 2018 examining the impact of incentives on PA. Design: A simple count of studies with positive and null effects (‘vote counting’) was conducted. Random-effects meta-analyses were also undertaken for studies reporting steps per day for intervention and post-intervention periods. Results: 23 studies involving 6074 participants were included (64.42% female, mean age = 41.20 years). 20 out of 22 studies reported positive intervention effects and four out of 18 reported post-intervention (after incentives withdrawn) benefits. Among the 12 of 23 studies included in the meta-analysis, incentives were associated with increased mean daily step counts during the intervention period (pooled mean difference (MD), 607.1; 95% CI: 422.1 to 792.1). Among the nine of 12 studies with post-intervention daily step count data incentives were associated with increased mean daily step counts (pooled MD, 513.8; 95% CI:312.7 to 714.9). Conclusion: Demonstrating rising interest in financial incentives, 23 RCTs were identified. Modest incentives ($1.40 US/day) increased PA for interventions of short and long durations and after incentives were removed, though post-intervention ‘vote counting’ and pooled results did not align. Nonetheless, and contrary to what has been previously reported, these findings suggest a short-term incentive ‘dose’ may promote sustained PA.

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Authors: Mitchell, M. S., Orstad, S. L., Biswas, A., Oh, P. I., Jay, M., Pakosh, M. T., & Faulkner, G.
Affiliations: Western University (CA)
New York University (US)
Institute for Work & Health (CA)
University Health Network (CA)
University of British Columbia (CA)
Corresponding author: Mitchell, Marc S
ORCID: Mitchell, Marc S
Orstad, Stephanie L
Biswas, Aviroop
Oh, Paul I
Jay, Melanie
Pakosh, Maureen T
Faulkner, Guy
Venue: British Journal of Sports Medicine
Publisher: BMJ
Published: 2019-05-15
Volume: 54
Issue: 21
Pages: 1259-1268
ISSN: 0306-3674 (ISSN-L)
1473-0480
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-100633
OpenAlex: W2945344227
Semantic Scholar: bfe04d845af60ca550cb3e4a4a1c234ec34621b8
Cited by: 143
References: 72
Citations by year: 2026: 6 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 2
FWCI: 2.16
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: British Journal of Sports Medicine (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Funders: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
Keywords: financial incentives, physical activity promotion, step count, adults, sustained physical activity, health behavior change, wearable activity trackers
MeSH terms: Fitness Trackers, Adult, Health Promotion, Humans, Motivation, Time Factors, Token Economy, Health Behavior, Exercise

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Financial incentives for physical activity in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis

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