NCT04618757

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.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
310

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Nov 2022

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

November 2, 2020

Completed
4 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

November 6, 2020

Completed
2 years until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 18, 2022

Completed
10 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

August 31, 2023

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

August 31, 2023

Completed
Last Updated

September 29, 2023

Status Verified

September 1, 2023

Enrollment Period

10 months

First QC Date

November 2, 2020

Last Update Submit

September 27, 2023

Conditions

Physical Activity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Proportion of months in meeting the step target

    The mean proportion of months meeting the incentivized targets (i.e. at least 10,000 daily steps on at least 25 days during the first 28 days of each calendar month via step counts measured by Fitbit, during a 4 calendar month intervention) across participants.

    Months 1-4

Secondary Outcomes (4)

  • Difference in mean daily steps between the 2 intervention arms

    Months 1-4

  • Difference in median daily steps between the 2 intervention arms

    Months 1-4

  • Difference in mean Fitbit fairly and very active minutes between the 2 intervention arms

    Months 1-4

  • Difference in median Fitbit fairly and very active minutes between the 2 intervention arms

    Months 1-4

Study Arms (2)

Hedonic Reward

EXPERIMENTAL

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 RewardDevice: Fitbit

Cash Reward

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants' reward for meeting monthly step targets is in the form of $50 cash disbursements

Behavioral: Cash RewardDevice: Fitbit

Interventions

Hedonic RewardBEHAVIORAL

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 25 days during the first 28 days of each calendar month on Fitbit activity trackers provided by the study.

Hedonic Reward
Cash RewardBEHAVIORAL

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 25 days during the first 28 days of each calendar month on Fitbit activity trackers provided by the study.

Cash Reward
FitbitDEVICE

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.

Also known as: Fitbit, wireless pedometer, physical activity tracker
Cash RewardHedonic Reward

Eligibility Criteria

Age21 Years - 70 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Aged between 21 to 70 years inclusive.
  • Singapore resident (residing in Singapore during the study period \[up to 5 months\])
  • English-speaking and English literate
  • Smartphone-literate

You may not qualify if:

  • Pregnant or lactating
  • Unable to walk up 10 steps (individual steps, not floors) without stopping
  • Currently on doctor's advice against engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (i.e., brisk walking or more intense).
  • Currently have a condition(s) that restricts engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (i.e., brisk walking or more intense).
  • Unwilling to be randomized into study arms
  • Unwilling to use a Fitbit for the study period (up to 5 calendar months)
  • Unwilling to pay the $20 enrolment fee
  • Does not complete the Consent Form
  • Refuses to give consent to participate in the study

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Duke-NUS Medical School

Singapore, 169857, Singapore

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Finkelstein EA, Chow MTN, Gandhi M. Are cash incentives always king? A randomized controlled trial evaluating hedonic versus cash incentives (TEH-C). Front Public Health. 2024 Apr 30;12:1354814. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1354814. eCollection 2024.

    PMID: 38745998DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

  • Eric A Finkelstein, Ph.D, M.H.A

    Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

November 2, 2020

First Posted

November 6, 2020

Study Start

November 18, 2022

Primary Completion

August 31, 2023

Study Completion

August 31, 2023

Last Updated

September 29, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-09

Locations

SG(1)