USING FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO MOTIVATE STAIR USE IN A WORKPLACE SETTING: RESULTS FROM A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
The increasing prevalence of obesity, which is associated with physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle, continues to increase and pose a substantial economic burden in most developed countries. Many workplace wellness programs have evolved to integrate the use of financial incentives to promote behaviour change and healthier lifestyles. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether tournament-style financial incentive (individual-level competitive prize of S$150) was effective in motivating adults in the workplace to increase daily stair usage over a 6-week period between July and October 2014. This study incorporates behavioural economic principles, a workplace stairs competition and point-of-decision prompts to offer insights on a behavioural reinforcement strategy on physical activity.
Method(s):
Participants (N=41) were randomized to one of the two experimental groups: (i) control group without financial incentives (n=20) or (ii) intervention group with financial incentives (n=21). Data was collected using a self-monitoring steps cum calories tracker app installed into mobile devices of participants in both groups.
Result(s):
The intervention group significantly increased their stair use compared to the control group by a difference of 7,743 steps (95% CI: 2,889 – 12,598, p=0.003). Furthermore, participants in the financial incentive intervention group burned 579 more calories, on average, than the control group (95% CI: 229 – 930, p=0.002). There was no sustained significant effect beyond the 6-week period of intervention.
Conclusion(s):
Participants in the financial incentive intervention group outperformed the control group through increased stair usage, and hence physical activity levels. There is evidence that the use of tournament-style financial incentives can promote the uptake of physical activity, however this effect attenuates over time and is not sustained beyond the period of intervention. Further research should be broadened to include investigating novel mHealth technologies that increase stair use and multicomponent interventions that promote physical activity for a sustained period of time.