Dong Wook Shin1,2,3, Jae Moon Yun1,2,3, Jung-Hyun Shin1, Hyuktae Kwon1,2,3, Hye Yeon Min1, Hee-Kyung Joh4,5, Won Joo Chung1, Jin Ho Park1,2,3, Kee-Taig Jung6, BeLong Cho1,2,3. 1. Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital & College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. 2. Center for Health Promotion & Optimal Aging, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. 3. Laboratory of Health Promotion and Health Behavior, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. 4. Seoul National University Health Service Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. 5. Department of Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. 6. Department of Health Services Management, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: A pilot randomized trial assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of an intervention combining Smartcare (activity tracker with a smartphone application) and financial incentives. METHODS: A three-arm, open-label randomized controlled trial design involving traditional education, Smartcare, and Smartcare with financial incentives was involved in this study. The latter group received financial incentives depending on the achievement of daily physical activity goals (process incentive) and weight loss targets (outcome incentive). Male university students (N = 105) with body mass index of ≥27 were enrolled. RESULTS: The average weight loss in the traditional education, Smartcare, and Smartcare with financial incentives groups was -0.4, -1.1, and -3.1 kg, respectively, with significantly greater weight loss in the third group (both Ps < 0.01). The final weight loss goal was achieved by 0, 2, and 10 participants in the traditional education, Smartcare, and Smartcare with financial incentives groups (odds ratio for the Smartcare with financial incentive vs. Smartcare = 7.27, 95% confidence interval: 1.45-36.47). Levels of physical activity were significantly higher in this group. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of financial incentives to Smartcare was effective in increasing physical activity and reducing obesity.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: A pilot randomized trial assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of an intervention combining Smartcare (activity tracker with a smartphone application) and financial incentives. METHODS: A three-arm, open-label randomized controlled trial design involving traditional education, Smartcare, and Smartcare with financial incentives was involved in this study. The latter group received financial incentives depending on the achievement of daily physical activity goals (process incentive) and weight loss targets (outcome incentive). Male university students (N = 105) with body mass index of ≥27 were enrolled. RESULTS: The average weight loss in the traditional education, Smartcare, and Smartcare with financial incentives groups was -0.4, -1.1, and -3.1 kg, respectively, with significantly greater weight loss in the third group (both Ps < 0.01). The final weight loss goal was achieved by 0, 2, and 10 participants in the traditional education, Smartcare, and Smartcare with financial incentives groups (odds ratio for the Smartcare with financial incentive vs. Smartcare = 7.27, 95% confidence interval: 1.45-36.47). Levels of physical activity were significantly higher in this group. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of financial incentives to Smartcare was effective in increasing physical activity and reducing obesity.
Authors: Matthew D McDonald; Kate Hunt; Hamsini Sivaramakrishnan; Joanna Moullin; Alison Avenell; Deborah A Kerr; Jack M Birch; Nikos Ntoumanis; Eleanor Quested Journal: Obes Rev Date: 2022-02-21 Impact factor: 10.867