The Physical Activity Loyalty Card Scheme

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

Detailed Description
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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.

Official Title
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The Physical Activity Loyalty Card Scheme: A Randomised Controlled Trial to Encourage Physical Activity

Conditions
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Health Behavior, Physical Activity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Non-cash incentives
* Behavioral: Self-monitoring physical activity levels


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Incentive<br>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. | Behavioral: Non-cash incentives<br>* Participants used their PAL card to self-monitor physical activity levels (intrinsic motivation) and minutes of physical activity were converted to points (1 minute of PA = 1 point; capped at 30 points per day) over the 12-week intervention period. Points were redeemed for rewards (extrinsic motivation) at week 6 and week 12.<br>|
| Active Comparator: No Incentive<br>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. | Behavioral: Self-monitoring physical activity levels<br>* For those in the 'No Incentive' arm, participants used their PAL card to self-monitor their physical activity levels but did not collect points or earn rewards.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Physical activity | 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) | baseline, week 12 and 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

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

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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physical activity, self-monitoring, behaviour change, incentives, nudging