Understanding health behavior change by motivation and reward mechanisms: a review of the literature

Michaelsen, Maren M.; Esch, Tobias

doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1151918

Cited by 114Behavioral Health and InterventionsBehavioral and Psychological StudiesNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Understanding health behavior change by motivation and reward mechanisms: a review of the literature

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Michaelsen, Maren M., Esch, Tobias·2023·Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience

DOI 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1151918PMC PMC10317209

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Abstract

The global rise of lifestyle-related chronic diseases has engendered growing interest among various stakeholders including policymakers, scientists, healthcare professionals, and patients, regarding the effective management of health behavior change and the development of interventions that facilitate lifestyle modification. Consequently, a plethora of health behavior change theories has been developed with the intention of elucidating the mechanisms underlying health behavior change and identifying key domains that enhance the likelihood of successful outcomes. Until now, only few studies have taken into account neurobiological correlates underlying health behavior change processes. Recent progress in the neuroscience of motivation and reward systems has provided further insights into the relevance of such domains. The aim of this contribution is to review the latest explanations of health behavior change initiation and maintenance based on novel insights into motivation and reward mechanisms. Based on a systematic literature search in PubMed, PsycInfo, and Google Scholar, four articles were reviewed. As a result, a description of motivation and reward systems (approach/wanting = pleasure; aversion/avoiding = relief; assertion/non-wanting = quiescence) and their role in health behavior change processes is presented. Three central findings are discussed: (1) motivation and reward processes allow to distinguish between goal-oriented and stimulus-driven behavior, (2) approach motivation is the key driver of the individual process of behavior change until a new behavior is maintained and assertion motivation takes over, (3) behavior change techniques can be clustered based on motivation and reward processes according to their functional mechanisms into facilitating (= providing external resources), boosting (= strengthening internal reflective resources) and nudging (= activating internal affective resources). The strengths and limitations of these advances for intervention planning are highlighted and an agenda for testing the models as well as future research is proposed.

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Many adults experience optimal sleep at bedroom temperatures between 15-20 °C, a range that facilitates the body's natural cooling signals and promotes faster sleep onset.
“Research suggests that many adults experience optimal sleep at bedroom temperatures between 15-20 °C, a range that facilitates the body's natural cooling signals and promotes faster sleep onset [62].”
From Pre-Sleep Anxiety: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches in Clinical Practice. (2026) · cites this paper as [62]
The Introduction discusses lifestyle-related health behaviors, and §3.2 discusses physiological responses to stress, but neither addresses bedroom temperature or sleep onset. Searches for the 15–20 °C range, sleep, and cooling found no passage in our copy that supports the claim. (LLM, conf=0.75)
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Nudge and the Law : A European Perspective
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Temporal self-regulation theory: a neurobiologically informed model for physical activity behavior
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Empowerment-oriented strategies to identify behavior change in patients with chronic diseases: An integrative review of the literature
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Motivation and reward mechanisms in health behavior change processes
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Self-Regulation Without Force: Can Awareness Leverage Reward to Drive Behavior Change?
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What are Emotional States, and Why Do We Have Them?
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Endogenous Reward Mechanisms and Their Importance in Stress Reduction, Exercise and the Brain
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Selective psychological effects of nudging, gamification and rational information in converting commuters from cars to buses: A controlled field experiment
Lieberoth, A., Jensen, N., & Bredahl, T. (2018) · Transportation Research Part F Traffic Psychology and Behaviour · doi:10.1016/j.trf.2018.02.016 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Attribution of weight regain to emotional reasons amongst European adults with overweight and obesity who regained weight following a weight loss attempt
Sainsbury, K., Evans, E. H., Pedersen, S., Marques, M. M., Teixeira, P. J., Lähteenmäki, L., Stubbs, R. J., Heitmann, B. L., & Sniehotta, F. F. (2019) · Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia Bulimia and Obesity · doi:10.1007/s40519-018-0487-0 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
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Functional Mechanisms of Health Behavior Change Techniques: A Conceptual Review
Michaelsen, M. M., & Esch, T. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.725644 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
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Threat sensitivity, incentive sensitivity, and the experience of relief.
Carver, C. S. (2009) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.2008.00540.x · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Nudging by government: Progress, impact, & lessons learned
Halpern, D., & Sanders, M. (2016) · Behavioral Science & Policy · doi:10.1353/bsp.2016.0015 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Soziale Unterschiede in der Mortalität und Lebenserwartung in Deutschland. Aktuelle Situation und Trends
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Initiation and maintenance of lifestyle changes among participants in a healthy life centre: a qualitative study
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The Effects of Nudges: One-Shot Only? Exploring the Temporal Spillover Effects of a Default Nudge
van Rookhuijzen, M., de Vet, E., & Adriaanse, M. A. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.683262 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
The food choice at work study: effectiveness of complex workplace dietary interventions on dietary behaviours and diet-related disease risk - study protocol for a clustered controlled trial
Geaney, F., Marrazzo, J. S. D., Kelly, C. B., Fitzgerald, T., Harrington, J. M., Kirby, A., McKenzie, K., Greiner, B. A., & Perry, I. J. (2013) · Trials · doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-370 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Health Care Providers’ Advice on Lifestyle Modification in the US Population: Results from the NHANES 2011-2016
Grabovac, I., Smith, L., Štefanac, S., Haider, S., Cao, C., Waldhoer, T., Jackson, S. E., & Yang, L. (2018) · The American Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2018.11.021 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
One-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial Piloting a Mindfulness-Based Group Intervention for Adolescent Insulin Resistance
Shomaker, L. B., Pivarunas, B., Annameier, S. K., Gulley, L., Quaglia, J., Brown, K. W., Broderick, P., & Bell, C. (2019) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01040 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
The ABC Model of Happiness—Neurobiological Aspects of Motivation and Positive Mood, and Their Dynamic Changes through Practice, the Course of Life
Esch, T. (2022) · Biology · doi:10.3390/biology11060843 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
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What do cost-effective health behaviour-change interventions contain? A comparison of six domains
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What can Neuroscience Contribute to the Debate Over Nudging?
Felsen, G., & Reiner, P. B. (2015) · Review of Philosophy and Psychology · doi:10.1007/s13164-015-0240-9 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Survey of major chronic iIlnesses and hospital admissions via the emergency department in a randomized older population in Randwick, Australia
Chan, D. K., Chong, R., Basilikas, J., Mathie, M. J., & Hung, W. T. (2002) · Emergency Medicine Australasia · doi:10.1046/j.1442-2026.2002.00343.x · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Nudging in der Primärprävention: Eine Übersicht und Perspektiven für Deutschland
Krisam, M., von Philipsborn, P., & Meder, B. (2017) · Das Gesundheitswesen · doi:10.1055/s-0042-121598 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Adjusting for comorbidities in cost of illness studies
Rizzo, J. A., Chen, J., Gunnarsson, C., Naim, A. B., & Lofland, J. H. (2014) · Journal of Medical Economics · doi:10.3111/13696998.2014.969434 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Incentivizing behaviour change to improve diabetes care
Petry, N. M., Cengiz, E., Wagner, J. A., Hood, K. K., CARRIA, L. R., & Tamborlane, W. V. (2013) · Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism · doi:10.1111/dom.12111 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Plasticity of Fear and Safety Neurons of the Amygdala in Response to Fear Extinction
Sangha, S. (2015) · Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00354 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Move the Fruit: Putting Fruit in New Bowls and New Places Doubles Lunchroom Sales
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Apples versus brownies: A field experiment in rearranging conference snacking buffets to reduce short-term energy intake
Hansen, P. G., Skov, L. R., Jespersen, A. M., Skov, K. L., & Schmidt, K. (2016) · Journal of Foodservice Business Research · doi:10.1080/15378020.2016.1129227 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Step it UP: A Multicomponent Intervention to Increase Stair Use in a University Residence Building
Howie, E. K., & Young, D. R. (2011) · American Journal of Health Promotion · doi:10.4278/ajhp.091106-arb-357 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
A Principle of Evolutionary Biology for Psychoanalysis: Schneirla's Evolutionary and Developmental Theory of Biphasic Processes Underlying Approach and Withdrawal and Freud's Unpleastire and Pleaswe Principles
Schur, M., & Ritvo, L. B. (1970) · Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association · doi:10.1177/000306517001800210 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Exploring the potential role of mesocorticolimbic circuitry in motivation for and adherence to chronic pain self-management interventions
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van Gestel, L. C., Adriaanse, M. A., & de Ridder, D. T. D. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01211 · Cited by 10 · see citing works

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Sorted by citations

From Reward to Anhedonia-Dopamine Function in the Global Mental Health Context
Dresp, B. (2023) · Biomedicines · doi:10.3390/biomedicines11092469 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
“This connectivity may explain why addicts relapse without any conscious decision to use again, as the addictive behavior is triggered more or less automatically by certain stimuli beyond individual conscious awareness [25–27].”
Background
A Behavioral Perspective for Improving Exercise Adherence
André, N., Grousset, M., & Audiffren, M. F. (2024) · Sports Medicine - Open · doi:10.1186/s40798-024-00714-8 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“In a similar vein, a recent systematic review on behavioral change domains carried out by Michaelsen and Esch [31] led them to develop a resource model of behavioral change based on the functional mechanisms of BCTs, which include facilitating, boosting and nudging mechanisms.”
Background
Study on the impact of recommendation algorithms on user perceived stress and health management behaviour in short video platforms
Wang, X., Wuji, S., Liu, Y., Luo, R., & Qiu, C. (2024) · Information Processing & Management · doi:10.1016/j.ipm.2024.103674 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Effectiveness of community-based diabetes and hypertension prevention and management programmes in Indonesia and Viet Nam: a quasi-experimental study
Fritz, M. K., Grimm, M., Hạnh, H. T. M., Koot, J. A. R., Nguyen, G. H., Nguyen, T.-P.-L., Probandari, A. N., Widyaningsih, V., & Lensink, R. (2024) · BMJ Global Health · doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2024-015053 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Associations between social support and proactive health behaviours among Chinese adolescents: the mediating role of self-efficacy and peer relationships
Lǚ, Z., Yu, L., Fan, K., Hu, T., Liu, L., Li, S., & Zhou, Y. (2024) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-024-20070-2 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“2 Mediation analysis of self-efficacy and peer relationships in the relationship between social support and proactive health behaviours Note: * P 0.05 ** P 0.01 *** P 0.001 and has sufficient motivation to continue, it is possible to implement and sustain the behaviour [50].”
BackgroundInfluential
Digital technologies-enhanced older adults health management: developing a five-dimensional extension of social learning theory for community settings
Liu, T., Luo, Y. T., & Pang, P. C. (2025) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1627983 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“Feedback mechanisms are equally critical in sustaining learning, as positive reinforcement following successful health management operations helps establish long-term usage habits (28).”
Influential
Functional Ingredients: From Molecule to Market—AI-Enabled Design, Bioavailability, Consumer Impact, and Clinical Evidence
Zhao, L., Ju, W.-M., Wang, L.-L., Ye, Y.-B., Liu, Z., Cavender, G., Sun, Y.-J., & Sun, S.-Q. (2025) · Foods · doi:10.3390/foods14173141 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“Health motivation can be defined as the internal force prompting consumers to adopt preventive health behaviors [172].”
Impact of Oral Health Chatbot With and Without Toothbrushing Training on Childhood Caries
Hunsrisakhun, J., Naorungroj, S., Tangkuptanon, W., Wattanasit, P., Pupong, K., & Pithpornchaiyakul, S. (2024) · International Dental Journal · doi:10.1016/j.identj.2024.09.028 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“45 46-49 Habit formation theory states that behaviours require ongoing reinforcement through repeated performance to become ingrained habits.”
The role of β-hydroxybutyrate testing in ketogenic metabolic therapies
Fante, C., Spritzler, F., Calabrese, L. V., Laurent, N., Roberts, C. G. P., & Deloudi, S. (2025) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1629921 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
“We speculate that this real-time feedback serves as a form of contingent reinforcement, where the measurable and immediate knowledge of BHB levels informs timely decisions, reinforces behaviors, and supports motivation and accountability, resulting in adherence to the KMT (135, 136).”
Influential
Free Will as Defined by the Constrained Disorder Principle: a Restricted, Mandatory, Personalized, Regulated Process for Decision-Making
Ilan, Y. (2024) · Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science · doi:10.1007/s12124-024-09853-9 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Health Neuroscience—How the Brain/Mind and Body Affect our Health Behavior and Outcomes
Tang, Y., & Tang, R. (2024) · Journal of Integrative Neuroscience · doi:10.31083/j.jin2304069 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“Specifically, the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and striatum are actively involved [3,16].”
Background
A scoping review of interventions to optimize medication adherence in hypertension comorbidity
Kwakye, A. O., Hutton-Nyameaye, A., Cobbold, C. C., Boachie‐Ansah, P., & Kretchy, I. A. (2025) · Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy · doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2025.01.008 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Exploration of the Motivational Factors that Influence the Maintenance of Health
Choudry, M., & Ganti, L. (2024) · Health Psychology Research · doi:10.52965/001c.115356 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the health behavior motivation scale: a translation and validation study
Ge, Y., Zheng, C., Wang, X., & Liu, T. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1279816 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“Even though we are aware that altering health-related behaviors is crucial to preventing and managing chronic illness, we still lack a thorough understanding of the motivations underlying these modifications (Michaelsen and Esch, 2023).”
Using Large Language Models to Embed Relational Cues in the Dialogue of Collaborating Digital Twins
Salman, S., & Richards, D. (2025) · Systems · doi:10.3390/systems13050353 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Promoting Behavioral Change and Public Awareness for Sustainable Clean Air
Thompson, O. P., Breitenstein, R. S., Barnes, B. R., & Glory, R. (2024) · The handbook of environmental chemistry · doi:10.1007/698_2024_1171 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
The influence of message framing and time metaphors in green advertising on consumer effects: an examination based on the mediating role of approach-avoidance motivation
Dong, M., Cao, D., & Liu, T. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1552963 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Positive perceptions activate approach motivation, while negative perceptions evoke avoidance motivation (Michaelsen and Esch, 2023).”
The Moderating Role of Dementia‐Related Fear in the Relationship Between Perceived Cognitive Decline and Motivation for Dementia Risk Reduction Behaviors in Community‐Dwelling Middle‐Aged and Older Adults
Lin, R. S. Y., Bartels, S. L., Baťalík, L., & Su, J. J. (2025) · International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/gps.70130 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“At high levels, fear can impair an individual's ability to reframe threats constructively and trigger a “flight” or “freeze” response that leads to avoidance behaviors, and this reaction often reflects an attempt to distance oneself from perceived unpleasant conditions [35].”
Barriers and facilitators to non-pharmacological management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a qualitative evidence synthesis
Yilmaz, Y. N. (2025) · Frontiers in Pharmacology · doi:10.3389/fphar.2025.1615809 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Behavioral Dynamics of AI Trust and Health Care Delays Among Adults: Integrated Cross-Sectional Survey and Agent-Based Modeling Study
Cai, X., Li, W., Shi, W., Cai, Y., & Zhou, J. (2026) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/82170 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Conversely, the reward-based strategy was less effective, likely due to insufficient incentives or limited reach, which hindered meaningful behavior change at the population level [50].”
Co-designing a Vaping Cessation Program for Australian Young Adults: A Conceptual Model
Rahman, N., Sebar, B., & Sofija, E. (2024) · Nicotine & Tobacco Research · doi:10.1093/ntr/ntae222 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“33 For example, reward has been demonstrated to be an important factor in health behavior change theory, 35 and suggested by participants as a strategy for facilitating cessation.”
PS-RTA method for safety responsibility management: An approach to promote competency of employees to fulfill safety responsibility
Zhao, X., Zhao, Y., Li, J., Wang, Z., & Tong, R. (2025) · Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries · doi:10.1016/j.jlp.2025.105713 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Stigma and social withdrawal among colorectal cancer survivors with permanent stomas: the mediating role of social motivation in psychosocial adaptation
Yao, Q., Li, G.-P., Dong, Z.-L., Liu, K., & Dong, X. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1600287 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Views of Family Caregivers on Advance Care Planning in Advanced Dementia Care in Hong Kong: A Qualitative Thematic Content Analysis Study
Chan, F.-Y., Lam, K., Lai, D., Tong, C., Lum, C., & Woo, J. (2025) · Health Science Reports · doi:10.1002/hsr2.70983 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“The Behavior Change Resource Model in adopting healthy behavioral change [13] seems to fit well to interpret the results.”
Japan's intensive health guidance program has limited effects on cardiovascular risk factors: a regression discontinuity analysis
Sekizawa, Y. (2024) · Public Health · doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2024.04.024 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Combining app-based behavioral therapy with electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation: a study protocol for a single-arm mixed-methods pilot trial
Schiek, H., Esch, T., Michaelsen, M. M., & Hoetger, C. (2024) · Addiction Science & Clinical Practice · doi:10.1186/s13722-024-00483-5 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Nudging interventions do not rely on cognitive skills or the provision of exter-nal resources to be effective, but rather function through affective components of human motivation and reward processes [28, 59].”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSelf-citation
Digital Multidomain Lifestyle Intervention for Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Mixed Methods Evaluation
Mattli, R., Weber, M., Raab, A. M., Haas, K., Vorster, A. P. A., & Schmitt, K. (2025) · International Journal of Public Health · doi:10.3389/ijph.2025.1608014 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“This increased awareness of a lifestyle behaviour may change the type of motivation and lead to behaviour change [71, 72].”
Behavior Modification after a Heart Attack: Insights from Patients and Healthcare Professionals
Yaqoob, A., Barolia, R., Ladak, L., & Khan, A. (2024) · doi:10.48047/hom.10.2.2024.1724-1743 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Consumers knowledge and awareness to willingly consume functional foods in the Gambia
Dabo, A. S., & Charles, A. L. (2025) · Cleaner and Responsible Consumption · doi:10.1016/j.clrc.2025.100300 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Lost and not found: randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavioral therapy for weight-loss in patients with chronic kidney disease
Mesarič, K. K., Kodrič, J., Bogataj, Š., Pernat, A. M., Kuzmanovski, A., Zakrajšek, B. L., & Pajek, J. (2025) · Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s10865-025-00583-w · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“However, immediate rewards and positive consequences often stem from unhealthy habits, making it challenging to overcome unhealthy behavioral patterns (Michaelsen & Esch, 2023; Zhang et al., 2021 ).”
The effectiveness of the Naji Iriano health video game in enhancing physical activity outcomes in children: a randomized controlled trial
Shami, M., Azodi, P., Mahmoodi, M., Tajik, F., & Jahanpour, F. (2025) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-025-23551-0 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Toward a roadmap for addressing today's health dilemma–The 101-statement consensus report
Wirnitzer, K., Motevalli, M. S., Tanous, D., Drenowatz, C. J., Moser, M., Cramer, H., Rosemann, T. J., Wagner, K., Michalsen, A., Knechtle, B., et al. (2025) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1676080 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
A Qualitative Exploration of Facilitators and Barriers to Early Time‐Restricted Eating: Insights From a Randomised Controlled Trial
Cáceres, N. A., Steger, F. L., Salvy, S., Jamshed, H., Warriner, A. H., Martin, C. K., & Peterson, C. M. (2025) · Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics · doi:10.1111/jhn.70180 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Efficacy of Telehealth-Based Coaching to Improve Physical Activity and Overall Experience for Cancer Survivors: Secondary, Mixed Methods Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Khairat, S. S., Kent, E. E., Geracitano, J., Mendis, K., Zhou, Z.-Q., Bailey, C., & Wood, W. A. (2026) · JMIR Cancer · doi:10.2196/78968 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Prior research reported similar findings that using self-monitoring tools can negatively impact participants’ motivation [41,42].”
A Stratified Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness Training on Endurance Performance: Moderating Role of Frontal Alpha Asymmetry Response to Distress
Chen, D.-T., Nien, J., Chen, H., Gill, D. L., Yang, Y.-R., Hsieh, W.-L., Hung, T., & Chang, Y. (2026) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-026-02842-6 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Mindfulness training has been shown to facilitate motivation (Li et al., 2023), possibly by increasing awareness and then enhancing the perceived reward value without requiring excessive reflective processing (Michaelsen & Esch, 2023).”
Gamified Feedback-Based Training System for Pediatric Asthma Inhaler Use: Mixed Methods Randomized Crossover Study
Zhang, H., & Li, X. (2026) · JMIR Serious Games · doi:10.2196/85673 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“This finding supports Michaelsen and Esch’s [64] conclusion that “short-term rewards can spark motivation, but long-term treatment adherence depends on cultivating intrinsic motivation.””
“Underwear Rule” in Improving Sexual Abuse Prevention Attitudes among Parents of Intellectual Disabilities Adolescent
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Cerjak, M., Antoniak, M. A., Šálková, D., Pepliński, B., Białowąs, S., & Mesić, Ž. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0325607 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
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Authors: Michaelsen, M. M., & Esch, T.
Affiliations: Witten/Herdecke University (DE)
Corresponding author: Michaelsen, Maren M.
ORCID: Michaelsen, Maren M.
Esch, Tobias
Venue: Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Published: 2023-06-19
Volume: 17
Pages: 1151918-1151918
ISSN: 1662-5153 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1151918
PMC: PMC10317209
OpenAlex: W4381166137
Cited by: 114
References: 142
Citations by year: 2026: 49 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 4
FWCI: 3.84
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: gold
doi.org
Licence: cc-by
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (vor)
Locations: Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords: health behavior change, motivation, reward systems, approach motivation, quiescence, behavior maintenance, behaviour change techniques, lifestyle modification, chronic disease prevention, nudging, intervention planning

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Understanding health behavior change by motivation and reward mechanisms: a review of the literature

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