The Physical Activity Loyalty Card Scheme

Phase 2

Completed

• Conditions: Health Behavior; Physical Activity
• Interventions: Behavioral: Non-cash incentives; Behavioral: Self-monitoring physical activity levels

• Registration Number: NCT01575262
• Lead Sponsor: Queen's University, Belfast

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of using incentives to encourage adults to be physically active.

Detailed Description

The investigators developed the Physical Activity Loyalty Card (PAL) Scheme which integrates a novel physical activity tracking system with web-based monitoring and nudge initiatives. The tracking system used Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology and a "loyalty card" (PAL Card) which contained a passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. Sensors were placed along footpaths in the outdoor environment, in the gym and exercise studio, and participants scanned their PAL card at the sensor when doing physical activity (e.g. walking). A transaction (card ID, sensor ID, and timestamp) was recorded and sent via SMS to a secure data centre. Participants logged onto a personal account on the study website (www.palcard.co.uk) and received real-time feedback on various aspects of their physical activity including minutes, distance and calories expended.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-03
• Primary Completion: 2011-07
• Study Completion: 2011-10
• Status Verified: 2012-04
• Study First Submitted: 2012-04-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2012-04-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2012-04-10
• Study First Posted: 2012-04-11
• Last Update Posted: 2012-04-11

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 406

Inclusion Criteria

• males and females
• aged 18-65 years old
• able to complete 15 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity
• based at least 4 days per week (and 6 hours per day) at worksite

Exclusion Criteria

• advised by General Practitioner not to participate in exercise

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Incentive	Non-cash incentives	Participants use their PAL card to self-monitor physical activity levels (intrinsic motivation) and minutes of physical activity were converted to points (1 minute of physical activity = 1 point; capped at 30 points per day) over the 12-week intervention period. Points are redeemed for rewards (extrinsic motivation) at week 6 and week 12.
No Incentive	Self-monitoring physical activity levels	Participants used their PAL card to self-monitor their physical activity levels (intrinsic motivation) over the 12-week intervention period but do not collect points or earn rewards.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Physical activity	baseline, week 12 and 6 months	change in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ); MVPA using an objective physical activity measure (physical activity tracking system)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
SF-8	baseline, week 12 and 6 months	health
Euroqol 5D	baseline, week 12 and 6 months	Quality of life
Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Scale	baseline, week 12 and 6 months	Physical activity self-efficacy
Work absenteeism	baseline, week 12 and 6 months	Number of sick days from work
Exit questionnaire	week 12	Participant satisfaction with study involvement

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Queen's University Belfast; 🇬🇧 Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom