TEH-C: Trial Evaluating Hedonic vs Cash Incentives
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
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.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
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N/A |
Detailed Description
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 Fitbit, during a 6 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).
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: 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 |
Behavioral: 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 20 days during the first 28 days of each calendar month on Fitbit activity trackers provided by the study.
Device: 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.
Other Names:
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| Experimental: Cash Reward Participants' reward for meeting monthly step targets is in the form of $50 cash disbursements |
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 20 days during the first 28 days of each calendar month on Fitbit activity trackers provided by the study.
Device: 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.
Other Names:
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Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Proportion of months in meeting the step target [Months 1-6]
The mean proportion of months meeting the incentivized targets (i.e. at least 10,000 daily steps on at least 20 days during the first 28 days of each calendar month via step counts measured by Fitbit, during a 6 calendar month intervention) across participants.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Difference in mean daily steps between the 2 intervention arms [Months 1-6]
Difference in mean daily steps between intervention arms for the first 28 days of each of 6 intervention months, controlling for baseline daily values. The Fitbit fairly and active minutes count towards Fitbit "active minutes", which are determined by Fitbit's proprietary algorithms and are defined as sustained activity of ≥10-minute bouts. These will be measured via step counts measured by Fitbit.
- Difference in median daily steps between the 2 intervention arms [Months 1-6]
Difference in median daily steps between intervention arms for the first 28 days of each of 6 intervention months, controlling for baseline daily values. The Fitbit fairly and active minutes count towards Fitbit "active minutes", which are determined by Fitbit's proprietary algorithms and are defined as sustained activity of ≥10-minute bouts. These will be measured via step counts measured by Fitbit.
- Difference in mean Fitbit fairly and very active minutes between the 2 intervention arms [Months 1-6]
Difference in mean Fitbit fairly and very active minutes between intervention arms for the first 28 days of each of 6 intervention months, controlling for baseline daily values. The Fitbit fairly and active minutes count towards Fitbit "active minutes", which are determined by Fitbit's proprietary algorithms and are defined as sustained activity of ≥10-minute bouts. These will be measured via step counts measured by Fitbit.
- Difference in median Fitbit fairly and very active minutes between the 2 intervention arms [Months 1-6]
Difference in median Fitbit fairly and very active minutes between intervention arms for the first 28 days of each of 6 intervention months, controlling for baseline daily values. The Fitbit fairly and active minutes count towards Fitbit "active minutes", which are determined by Fitbit's proprietary algorithms and are defined as sustained activity of ≥10-minute bouts. These will be measured via step counts measured by Fitbit
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Aged between 21 to 70 years inclusive.
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Singapore resident (residing in Singapore during the study period)
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English-speaking and English literate
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Smartphone-literate
Exclusion Criteria:
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Pregnant
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Unwilling to seek doctor's approval to participate in the research study after answering 'Yes' to one or more item(s) in the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)
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Unwilling to be randomized into study arms
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Unwilling to use a Fitbit for the study period (6 calendar months)
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Unwilling to pay the $20 deposit
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Does not complete the Consent Form
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Refuses to give consent to participate in the study
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duke-NUS Medical School | Singapore | Singapore | 169857 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Eric A Finkelstein, Ph.D, M.H.A, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- NIHA-2018-002 (Study 1)