Are cash incentives always king? A randomized controlled trial evaluating hedonic versus cash incentives (TEH-C).

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Physical inactivity is a risk factor for obesity and non-communicable diseases. Despite myriad health and non-health benefits resulting from physical activity (PA), most individuals do not meet PA recommendations. Providing an incentive for meeting activity goals may increase activity levels. Classical economists argue that cash is the best incentive. Behavioral economists have posited that hedonic (pleasurable) incentives (e.g., massages, restaurant meals) may be superior to cash when incentives are offered over multiple time periods. To date, no studies have directly compared the effectiveness of cash versus hedonic incentives in promoting PA across multiple time periods.

Methods

We conducted a two-arm, parallel, 4-month randomized controlled trial with health

SUBMITTER: Finkelstein EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11091446 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature