Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-11-2019
Abstract
Financial incentives can increase physical activity (PA), but differences in the immediacy of reward delivery and individual differences in delay discount rates (i.e., higher discount values associated with less tolerance for delayed rewards) may explain differential responding. The current study tested whether delay discount rate moderated the relative effectiveness of immediate financial rewards on increasing daily PA. Inactive, overweight adults (ages 18–60, N = 96) were randomized to receive either smaller, immediate goal-contingent rewards or larger, delayed rewards for participation. Delay discount rates were derived for those who completed the Monetary Choice Questionnaire (N = 85). Linear mixed models tested interactions between discount rate and intervention arm on changes in mean daily Fitbit-measured steps from baseline to intervention phases, and rates of change during the intervention phase. Across all groups, participants increased by 2258 steps/day on average from baseline to intervention and declined by 9 steps/day across the 4-month intervention phase. The mean increase in daily steps was greater for immediate reward-arm participants across all discount rates. Descriptive exploration of reward effects by delay discount rate suggested that the magnitude of reward effects decreased at higher discount rates. During the 4-month intervention phase, rates of decline in daily steps were similar in both reward arms, but declines became more pronounced at higher discount rates. Overall, intervention efficacy decreased with less tolerance for delays. The importance of financial reward immediacy for increasing PA appears to increase with greater delay discount rates.
Recommended Citation
Phillips, C. B., Hurley, J. C., Angadi, S. S., Todd, M., Berardi, V., Hovell, M., & Adams, M. A. (2019). Delay discount rate moderates a physical activity intervention testing immediate rewards. Behavioral Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1080/08964289.2019.1570071
Copyright
Taylor & Francis
Included in
Behavioral Disciplines and Activities Commons, Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Other Psychiatry and Psychology Commons, Other Psychology Commons, Other Public Health Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons
Comments
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published in Behavioral Medicine in 2019, available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/08964289.2019.1570071. It may differ slightly from the final version of record.