Our primary conclusion is that there is a lack of compelling evidence that incentives of any form represent a compelling NCD reduction strategy .
The rising epidemic of non-communicable diseases ( NCDs ) poses substantial health and economic challenges to both individuals and society .
Application of incentive-based strategies based on traditional and behavioural economic theory has emerged as a potential strategy to address rising rates of NCDs .
Yet , whether or not incentives truly represent a promising strategy for addressing NCDs has not been systematic ally addressed nor is it clear whether certain behavioural economic strategies outperform others or simply offering a cash-based incentive for meeting a goal .
In this systematic review we aim to determine whether there is an evidence base for any of these strategies .
A low-cost reinforcement procedure improves short-term weight loss outcomes.
OBJECTIVE Reinforcement-based treatments , based on behavioral economics models , can improve outcomes of medical conditions with behavioral components . This study evaluated the efficacy of a low-cost reinforcement intervention to produce initial weight loss . METHODS Overweight individuals ( n=56 ) were r and omized to one of two 12-week treatments : Lifestyle , Exercise , Attitudes , Relationships , Nutrition manual with supportive counseling or that same treatment with opportunities to win $ 1 to $ 100 prizes for losing weight and completing weight-loss activities . RESULTS Patients receiving reinforcement  lost significantly more weight ( 6.0 % ± 4.9 % baseline bodyweight ) than patients in the non-reinforcement condition ( 3.5 % ± 4.1 % ; P=.04 ) . Moreover , 64.3 % of patients receiving reinforcement achieved weight loss of ≥ 5 % baseline bodyweight versus 25.0 % of those in the non-reinforcement condition ( P=.003 ) . Proportional weight loss was significantly related to reductions in total cholesterol and 24-hour ambulatory heart rate . CONCLUSION This reinforcement-based intervention  substantially enhances short-term weight loss , and reductions in weight are associated with important changes in clinical biomarkers . Larger-scale evaluation of reinforcement-based treatments  for weight loss is warranted
Our primary conclusion is that there is a lack of compelling evidence that incentives of any form represent a compelling NCD reduction strategy .
The rising epidemic of non-communicable diseases ( NCDs ) poses substantial health and economic challenges to both individuals and society .
Application of incentive-based strategies based on traditional and behavioural economic theory has emerged as a potential strategy to address rising rates of NCDs .
Yet , whether or not incentives truly represent a promising strategy for addressing NCDs has not been systematic ally addressed nor is it clear whether certain behavioural economic strategies outperform others or simply offering a cash-based incentive for meeting a goal .
In this systematic review we aim to determine whether there is an evidence base for any of these strategies .