Making a Digital Pledge Added 665 Steps a Day
Graded Moderate — pooled data from 29 trials with random assignment and 7,534 people; weight results varied widely between trials, and data beyond 12 months are missing.
- Design
- Meta-analysis
- Participants
- 7,534
- Duration
- —
- Funding
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Digital commitment tools gave adults at higher heart risk about 665 extra steps a day on average.
Most people know what they want to change. Doing it is harder, especially with exercise and weight. Digital tools that let people lock in a commitment to a goal ahead of time can help close that gap a little. People who used them walked about 665 more steps a day on average. They also lost close to two kilos more than the comparison groups.
Researchers pooled 29 studies with 7,534 adults in total. All of them had a higher risk of heart and metabolic disease. In every study, chance decided who got the digital tool. Afterwards, participants reported less eating driven by emotions and fewer episodes of losing control over food. Body fat percentage, diet quality and taking medication as prescribed also improved.
For steps, the studies agreed closely. For weight, their results varied a lot. The analysis cannot say whether the gains last for years. The authors call for trials that follow people for longer than 12 months.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.