Using self-tailored deposit contracts and reinforcement thinning to increase physical activity of sedentary adults.

Abstract

Previous research supports behavioral interventions, such as contingency management, to increase physical activity. A common limitation of these interventions is a lack of maintenance effects or assessment of the target behavior following the withdrawal of the intervention. This study evaluated self-tailored deposit contracts and reinforcement thinning to increase daily steps of sedentary adults using a nonconcurrent multiple-baseline-across-participants design. Participants selected a step goal and a predetermined amount of money to deposit, which would be returned contingent on meeting their goal daily, every 3 days, and weekly. Results showed an increase in step count during the intervention for all three participants, extending previous findings that self-tailored deposit contracts and reinforcement thinning can increase adults' physical activity. However, the combination of procedures did not result in increased daily steps when the intervention was withdrawn.