There was not convincing evidence that effects were different between different groups of behaviours .
Meta-regression found some , limited , evidence that effect sizes decreased as post-intervention follow-up period and incentive value increased .
However , the latter effect may be confounded by the former .
The available evidence suggests that financial incentive interventions are more effective than usual care or no intervention for encouraging healthy behaviour change .
BACKGROUND Financial incentive interventions have been suggested as one method of promoting healthy behaviour change .
OBJECTIVES To conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of financial incentive interventions for encouraging healthy behaviour change ; to explore whether effects vary according to the type of behaviour incentivised , post-intervention follow-up time , or incentive value .
The Healthy Worker Project: a work-site intervention for weight control and smoking cessation.
OBJECTIVES A r and omized trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a work-site health promotion program in reducing obesity and the prevalence of cigarette smoking . METHODS Thirty-two work sites were r and omized to treatment or no treatment for 2 years . Treatment consisted of health education classes combined with a payroll-based incentive system . Evaluation was based on cohort and cross-sectional surveys . RESULTS Of 10,000 total employees in treatment work sites , 2041 and 270 participated in weight control and smoking cessation programs , respectively .  Weight losses averaged 4.8 lbs , and 43 % of smoking participants quit . Net 2-year reductions in smoking prevalence in treatment vs control work sites were 4.0 % and 2.1 % in cross-sectional and cohort surveys , respectively . No treatment effect was found for weight . Treatment effects for smoking prevalence and weight were both positively correlated with participation rates in the intervention programs ( r = .45 for smoking and r = .55 for weight ) . CONCLUSIONS This work-site health promotion program was effective in reducing smoking prevalence at a cost that is believed to make the investment worthwhile
There was not convincing evidence that effects were different between different groups of behaviours .
Meta-regression found some , limited , evidence that effect sizes decreased as post-intervention follow-up period and incentive value increased .
However , the latter effect may be confounded by the former .
The available evidence suggests that financial incentive interventions are more effective than usual care or no intervention for encouraging healthy behaviour change .
BACKGROUND Financial incentive interventions have been suggested as one method of promoting healthy behaviour change .
OBJECTIVES To conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of financial incentive interventions for encouraging healthy behaviour change ; to explore whether effects vary according to the type of behaviour incentivised , post-intervention follow-up time , or incentive value .