Trial Evaluating Hedonic vs Cash Incentives

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

310 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-11-18

Study Completion Date

2023-08-31

Brief Summary

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This study aims to determine, using a randomized trial with two parallel arms, whether hedonic rewards (Arm 1) can be more effective than their cash equivalent (Arm 2) in motivating participants to meet step goals.

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Detailed Description

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The evidence is overwhelming that sustained physical activity reduces risks for non-communicable diseases, increases longevity, and reduces medical costs. Yet, the rates of physical activity have been steadily decreasing such that physical inactivity is now the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. In Singapore, 33% of adults are insufficiently active despite Singapore being a highly walkable city with numerous subsidized community-based physical activity programs. A review of the literature shows that, to date, no study has directly compared cash versus hedonic rewards for health behavior change despite theory suggesting hedonic rewards may work better. Furthermore, hedonic rewards can often be purchased at lower cost than their cash equivalent. This makes hedonic rewards potentially more cost-effective if they are proven to be at least as effective at increasing positive behavior change compared to giving the same value in cash.

Thus, we aim to determine, using a randomized trial with two parallel arms, whether hedonic rewards (Arm 1) can be more effective than their cash equivalent (Arm 2) in promoting increases in physical activity, assessed via step counts measured by a Fitbit physical activity tracker, during a 4-calendar month intervention. We hypothesize that the average proportion of months meeting the incentivized step target across participants will be greater for those in the hedonic incentive arm as compared to those in the cash incentive arm (primary outcome).

Conditions

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Physical Activity

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Hedonic Reward

Participants' reward for meeting monthly step targets is in the form of reimbursements of up to $50 for expenses on hedonic activities of their choice

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Hedonic Reward

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

A reimbursement credit for hedonic expenses worth up to $50 will be awarded to each participant if they log at least 10,000 daily steps on at least 25 days during the first 28 days of each calendar month on Fitbit activity trackers provided by the study.

Fitbit

Intervention Type DEVICE

Fitbit devices are wireless pedometers that track the steps of participants, and will be offered in conjunction with a tailored website with customized information for participants.

Cash Reward

Participants' reward for meeting monthly step targets is in the form of $50 cash disbursements

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Cash Reward

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

A reimbursement credit for $50 in cash will be awarded to each participant if they log at least 10,000 daily steps on at least 25 days during the first 28 days of each calendar month on Fitbit activity trackers provided by the study.

Fitbit

Intervention Type DEVICE

Fitbit devices are wireless pedometers that track the steps of participants, and will be offered in conjunction with a tailored website with customized information for participants.

Interventions

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Hedonic Reward

A reimbursement credit for hedonic expenses worth up to $50 will be awarded to each participant if they log at least 10,000 daily steps on at least 25 days during the first 28 days of each calendar month on Fitbit activity trackers provided by the study.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Cash Reward

A reimbursement credit for $50 in cash will be awarded to each participant if they log at least 10,000 daily steps on at least 25 days during the first 28 days of each calendar month on Fitbit activity trackers provided by the study.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Fitbit

Fitbit devices are wireless pedometers that track the steps of participants, and will be offered in conjunction with a tailored website with customized information for participants.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

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Fitbit, wireless pedometer, physical activity tracker

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Aged between 21 to 70 years inclusive.
* Singapore resident (residing in Singapore during the study period \[up to 5 months\])
* English-speaking and English literate
* Smartphone-literate

Exclusion Criteria

* Pregnant or lactating
* Unable to walk up 10 steps (individual steps, not floors) without stopping
* Currently on doctor's advice against engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (i.e., brisk walking or more intense).
* Currently have a condition(s) that restricts engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (i.e., brisk walking or more intense).
* Unwilling to be randomized into study arms
* Unwilling to use a Fitbit for the study period (up to 5 calendar months)
* Unwilling to pay the $20 enrolment fee
* Does not complete the Consent Form
* Refuses to give consent to participate in the study

Minimum Eligible Age

21 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

70 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes