biostudies-literatureEpton TEconomic and Social Research CouncilNIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research CentreManchester Biomedical Research CentreNational Institute for Health Research (NIHR)114946https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8957361biostudies-literatureUnknown303<h4>Objectives</h4>Physical distancing, defined as keeping 1-2m apart when co-located, can prevent cases of droplet or aerosol transmitted infectious diseases such as SARS-CoV2. During the COVID-19 pandemic, distancing was a recommendation or a requirement in many countries. This systematic review aimed to determine which interventions and behavior change techniques (BCTs) are effective in promoting adherence to distancing and through which potential mechanisms of action (MOAs).<h4>Methods</h4>Six databases were searched. The review included studies that were (a) conducted on humans, (b) reported physical distancing interventions, (c) included any comparator (e.g., pre-intervention versus post-intervention; randomized controlled trial), and (d) reported actual distancing or predictors of dSocial science & medicine (1982)Interventions to promote physical distancing behaviour during infectious disease pandemics or epidemics: A systematic review.PMC8957361ES/V005383/1Arden MAByrne-Davis LWestbrook JChater AAllen SFScanlan DO'Connor DBGhio DHewitt RMorrow AJenkinson EShorter GWEpton TSharma NSwanson VKamal AKassianos APHart JMcBride EDrury JStanescu SKarasouli EFynn WIRowland VYousuf AAArmitage CJSwainston KBegum SBallard LMMcGeechan GJfalseInterventions to promote physical distancing behaviour during infectious disease pandemics or epidemics: A systematic review.<h4>Objectives</h4>Physical distancing, defined as keeping 1-2m apart when co-located, can prevent cases of droplet or aerosol transmitted infectious diseases such as SARS-CoV2. During the COVID-19 pandemic, distancing was a recommendation or a requirement in many countries. This systematic review aimed to determine which interventions and behavior change techniques (BCTs) are effective in promoting adherence to distancing and through which potential mechanisms of action (MOAs).<h4>Methods</h4>Six databases were searched. The review included studies that were (a) conducted on humans, (b) reported physical distancing interventions, (c) included any comparator (e.g., pre-intervention versus post-intervention; randomized controlled trial), and (d) reported actual distancing or predictors of d2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Jun2026-03-18T13:20:21.359Z2025-02-18T23:20:25.833ZS-EPMC89573613560543110.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114946