Opportunity
Higher levels of physical activity have been demonstrated to improve health and reduce cognitive decline among the elderly, but more than half of all adults in the US do not meet their physical activity goals and disparities persist. Mobile technologies such as wearable devices are increasing in use but there is limited evidence on their effectiveness in achieving sustained behavior change. Social incentives along with wearable devices can be used to enhance an individual’s social network and increase physical activity.
Approach
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of two forms of social incentives to increase physical activity among elderly adults in low-income, minority communities of Philadelphia. One intervention will use behaviorally- designed gamification intervention with social incentives and the other will use financial incentives to charity.
Impact
This study is currently in progress.
Collaborators
Penn Center for Health Behavior Research
Funding
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH
