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 .
Benefits of adding Small Financial Incentives or Optional Group Meetings to a Web-based Statewide Obesity Initiative
Objective To examine whether adding either small , variable financial incentives or optional group sessions improves weight losses in a community-based , Internet behavioral program . Design and methods Participants ( N=268 ) from Shape Up Rhode Isl and 2012 , a 3 month Web-based community wellness initiative , were r and omized to : Shape Up+Internet behavioral program ( SI ) , Shape Up+Internet program+Incentives ( SII ) , or Shape Up+Internet program+Group sessions ( SIG ) . Results At the end of the 3 month program , SII achieved significantly greater weight losses than SI ( SII:6.4 % [ 5.1 - 7.7 ] ; SI:4.2 % [ 3.0 - 5.6 ] ; P=.03 ) ; weight losses in SIG were not significantly different from the other two conditions ( SIG : 5.8 % [ 4.5 - 7.1 ] , P’s≥.10 ) . However , at the 12 month no treatment follow-up visit , both SII and SIG had greater weight losses than SI ( SII : 3.1 % [ 1.8 - 4.4 ] ; SIG : 4.5 % [ 3.2 - 5.8 ] ; SI : 1.2 % [ -0.1 - 2.6 ] ; P’s≤.05 ) . SII was the most cost-effective approach at both 3 ( SII : $ 34/kg ; SI : $ 34/kg ; SIG : $ 87/kg ) and 12 months ( SII : $ 64/kg ; SI : $ 140/kg ; SIG : $ 113/kg ) . Conclusions Modest financial incentives  enhance weight losses during a community campaign and both incentives and optional group meetings improved overall weight loss outcomes during the follow-up period . However , the use of the financial incentives is the most cost-effective approach
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 .