The purpose of this study is to test the overall effects of incentives on physical activity among older taxi drivers, and whether mental accounting exists in this context.
As part of the 4-month Randomized Controlled Trial, participating taxi drivers will be assigned to 1 of 2 groups where they will receive either cash or taxi rental credits for meeting specified monthly step goals measured via a step counter. Subsequently, for an additional 3 months, drivers will be incentivized to wear step counters to test if effects of the rewards are sustained once the reward is no longer in place. Effects will be quantified in terms of step activity; and in terms of changes in Body Mass Index (BMI), Resting Heart Rate (HR), Blood Pressure (BP), self-reported General Health, Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QOL) and work productivity.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
314
Drivers will be offered rewards valued at a day's rental for meeting daily step targets over the specified number of days each month from Months 1 to 4, where steps will be tracked by a step counter. They will also be offered incentives for meeting the following criteria: 1. Accurately predicting step target attainment the following months (SGD10) 2. Wearing and providing step data over the month (SGD10 and a chance to win 1 of 3 cash prizes valued at SGD500)
After the 4-month RCT, drivers will be incentivized to wear the step counter for another 3 months (i.e. Months 5 to 7) to test if effects of the rewards are sustained once the reward is no longer in place. For wearing their step counter and providing their step data, drivers will receive a modest cash incentive (amounting to SGD10) each month as well as the chance to win 1 of 3 cash prizes valued at SGD500.
Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
Steps taken
Steps will be assessed using Fitbit, which has an in-built 3-axis accelerometer that measures motion patterns. This will be evaluated monthly, from pre-Baseline through Month 7.
Time frame: 7 months
Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI will be evaluated using measured height and weight, and will be assessed at Months 0 (Baseline), 4 and 7.
Time frame: 7 months
Resting Heart Rate
Resting Heart Rate will be evaluated using a clinically validated machine (Welch Allyn SPOT Vital Signs Monitor), and will be assessed at Months 0 (Baseline), 4 and 7.
Time frame: 7 months
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure will be evaluated using a clinically validated machine (Welch Allyn SPOT Vital Signs Monitor), and will be assessed at Months 0 (Baseline), 4 and 7.
Time frame: 7 months
Self-reported General Health
Self-reported General Health will be evaluated using a validated survey instrument (SF12), and will be assessed at Months 0 (Baseline), 4 and 7.
Time frame: 7 months
Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QOL)
Health-Related Quality of Life will be evaluated using a validated instrument (EQ-5D), and will be assessed at Months 0 (Baseline), 4 and 7.
Time frame: 7 months
Work Productivity
Work Productivity will be evaluated using a validated instrument (Work Productivity Activity Impairment Questionnaire) and other work-related data, and will be assessed throughout Months 0 (Baseline), 4 and 7.
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Time frame: 7 months