The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · 11 authors, 6 centres
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A single-blinded RCT tested whether financial incentives for public transport use increased physical activity in 110 Australian adults over 16 weeks. The intervention group showed a smaller decline in daily steps and an increase in self-reported transport-related physical activity compared to controls, though the trial was abandoned before reaching target sample size due to COVID-19.
A single-blinded RCT enrolled 110 Australian adults who were infrequent bus users, randomised equally into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received weekly motivational text messages and smartcard bus credit upon meeting targets over 16 weeks; both groups received physical activity guidelines. The primary outcome of accelerometer-measured median daily steps declined in both groups, but by less in the intervention group (-557.9 steps vs. -1018.3 steps in controls). Self-reported transport-related physical activity increased by 80.0 min/week (133.3%) in the intervention group while decreasing by 20.0 min/week in controls. The trial was abandoned prior to achieving the target sample size due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings suggest potential effectiveness of financial incentives for increasing transport-related physical activity but warrant confirmation in a fully powered study with longer-term follow-up.
