Study: Fitness Trackers Do Not Improve Health Outcomes

Fitness trackers such as the Fitbit are increasing in popularity, but a new study from Singapore suggests that they do not improve health outcomes.

To better understand the effect of fitness trackers on health outcomes, the researchers recruited employees aged 21 to 65 years from 13 organizations in Singapore to be randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: no fitness tracker (n=201), Fitbit only (n=203), tracker plus charity incentives (n=199), or tracker plus cash incentives (n=197). Incentives were based on weekly steps.

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The researchers measured moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) bout min per week via an accelerometer, total steps per week (with a target of 70,000 steps), and health-related outcomes.

At the end of the 6-month study period, there was no significant difference in MVPA bout min per week between the Fitbit only and control groups, and increases in physical activity were similar among the cash, charity, and Fitbit groups.

At the 12-month follow-up, there was a decrease of 23 MVPA bout min per week in the cash incentive group compared with the Fitbit group. There was no significant difference between the cash and control groups.

In addition, no improvements in health outcomes, such as weight, blood pressure, or quality of life, were seen at either assessment.

“The cash incentive was most effective at increasing MVPA bout min per week at 6 months, but this effect was not sustained 6 months after the incentives were discontinued,” the researchers concluded.

“Although other incentive strategies might generate greater increases in step activity and improvements in health outcomes, incentives would probably need to be in place long term to avoid any potential decrease in physical activity resulting from discontinuation.”

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Finkelstein EA, Haaland BA, Bilger M, et al. Effectiveness of activity trackers with and without incentives to increase physical activity (TRIPPA): a randomised controlled trial [published online October 4, 2016]. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(16)30284-4.