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Project Step: dismantling components of financial incentive programs for physical activity
Dissertation   Open access

Project Step: dismantling components of financial incentive programs for physical activity

Stephanie Kerrigan
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
2018
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/D8QX07
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Abstract

Incentive (Psychology) Behavior Modification Exercise Obesity Psychology Strategic Planning
Interventions to promote activity observe limited and short-lived success. Financial incentives may provide a short-term reward for physical activity, increasing the likelihood of engaging in activity behavior. However, studies of financial incentives have not evaluated other treatment components that may be important independent of or in concert with incentives. Feedback may increase an individual's awareness of a goal and salience of an incentive. Study 1 sought to evaluate whether the effect of an incentive for physical activity was larger when providing ongoing feedback compared to having no feedback using a within-subjects design. All participants (n = 24) had a goal of 10,000 steps/day for the duration of the 16-week study. No significant differences were observed, although effect sizes suggest that there was an increase in activity during the incentive-only condition. Presentation order moderated results, such that individuals exposed to incentives with feedback first, compared to those presented with incentives-only first, performed more poorly across both incentive conditions. Additionally, individuals dropped out at higher-than-anticipated rates, were difficult to enroll, and had difficulty reaching the goal. In Study 2, we sought to evaluate the independent and interactive effects of daily vs. weekly feedback and contingent vs. non-contingent incentives in a 2x2 factorial design where participants (n = 61) received personalized step goals each week. Results indicated that daily feedback increased step counts more than weekly, and that contingent incentives increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) more than non-contingent. Small non-significant interaction effects were observed. Taken together, results of these studies indicate that feedback may be beneficial or iatrogenic depending on how the feedback is perceived (i.e., negatively, if a high goal is unlikely to be reached, or positively, if a goal is perceived as doable). Results suggest that feedback could be leveraged to improve response to incentive interventions.

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