Abstract
BackgroundProviding feedback is a technique to promote health behavior that is emphasized by behavior change theories. However, these theories make contradicting predictions regarding the effect of the feedback sign—that is, whether the feedback signals success or failure. Thus, it is unclear whether positive or negative feedback leads to more favorable behavior change in a health behavior intervention.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the effect of the feedback sign in a health behavior change intervention.MethodsData from participants (N=1623) of a 6-month physical activity intervention was used. Participants received a feedback email at the beginning of each month. Feedback was either positive or negative depending on the participants’ physical activity in the previous month. In an exploratory analysis, change in monthly step count averages was used to evaluate the feedback effect.ResultsThe feedback sign did not predict the change in monthly step count averages over the course of the intervention (b=−84.28, P=.28). Descriptive differences between positive and negative feedback can be explained by regression to the mean.ConclusionsThe feedback sign might not influence the effect of monthly feedback emails sent out to participants of a large-scale physical activity intervention. However, randomized studies are needed to further support this conclusion. Limitations as well as opportunities for future research are discussed.
Highlights
In 2012, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, or cancer were responsible for 68% of deaths worldwide [1].Physical activity plays a crucial role in the prevention and management of Non-communicable Disease social-cognitive theory (SCT) (NCD), as it has been found to affect the incidence and course of Non-communicable Disease SCT (NCD) such as diabetes [2], asthma [3], and cancer [4], as well as associated risk factors such as hypertension [5], overweight [6], or high blood sugar [7]
The feedback sign did not predict the change in monthly step count averages over the course of the intervention (b=−84.28, P=.28)
The feedback sign might not influence the effect of monthly feedback emails sent out to participants of a large-scale physical activity intervention
Summary
Background In 2012, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, or cancer were responsible for 68% of deaths worldwide [1].Physical activity plays a crucial role in the prevention and management of NCDs, as it has been found to affect the incidence and course of NCDs such as diabetes [2], asthma [3], and cancer [4], as well as associated risk factors such as hypertension [5], overweight [6], or high blood sugar [7]. Physical activity interventions often use feedback as a method to change behavior [8,9,10,11]. Providing feedback is a technique to promote health behavior that is emphasized by behavior change theories. These theories make contradicting predictions regarding the effect of the feedback sign—that is, whether the feedback signals success or failure. It is unclear whether positive or negative feedback leads to more favorable behavior change in a health behavior intervention
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