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 Simple Reinforcement Strategy for Increasing Attendance at a Fitness Facility
The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of a previously untested reinforcement strategy ( i.e. , 1 month 's free membership ) on attendance at a  fitness facility . Participants were paying members of a fitness facility r and omly assigned to  control ( n = 100 ) , placebo  ( n = 100 ) , and  reinforcement ( n = 100 ) conditions . The control condition received no intervention ; the placebo condition received a letter by mail ; and the reinforcement condition received the same letter by mail , except that it included an additional paragraph instructing them that they could earn 1 month 's free membership if they attended the fitness facility at least 12 times in the next month . Attendance was monitored for I month baseline and postintervention by using the facility 's computer system . Analysis of variance , t tests , and chi-square analysis all revealed that the reinforcement condition had the best attendance record during the intervention period . These preliminary results shed some light on increasing attendance at a fitness facility . Discussion highlighted the practical implication s of the findings and offered directions for future research
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 .