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A cluster-randomized trial on small incentives to promote physical activity
Kramer JN, Tinschert P, Scholz U, Fleisch E, Kowatsch T
American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2019 Feb;56(2):e45-e54
clinical trial
5/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

INTRODUCTION: There has been limited research investigating whether small financial incentives can promote participation, behavior change, and engagement in physical activity promotion programs. This study evaluates the effects of two types of small financial incentives within a physical activity promotion program of a Swiss health insurance company. STUDY DESIGN: Three-arm cluster-randomized trial comparing small personal financial incentives and charity financial incentives (10 Swiss Francs, equal to US$10.40) for each month with an average step count of > 10,000 steps per day to control. Insureds' federal state of residence was the unit of randomization. Data were collected in 2015 and analyses were completed in 2018. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: German-speaking insureds of a large health insurer in Switzerland were invited. Invited insureds were aged >= 18 years, enrolled in complementary insurance plans and registered on the insurer's online platform. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was the participation rate. Secondary outcomes were steps per day, the proportion of participant days in which > 10,000 steps were achieved and non-usage attrition over the first 3 months of the program. RESULTS: Participation rate was 5.94% in the personal financial incentive group (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.55 to 2.49) and 4.98% in the charity financial incentive group (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.01) compared with 3.23% in the control group. At the start of the program, the charity financial group had a 12% higher chance of walking 10,000 steps per day than the control group (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.30), but this effect dissipated after 3 months. Steps per day and non-usage attrition did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Small personal and charity financial incentives can increase participation in physical activity promotion programs. Incentives may need to be modified in order to prevent attrition and promote behavior change over a longer period of time. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered at www.isrctn.com ISRCTN24436134.

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