Last updated July 18, 2026
Key finding
FS group increased by 774 MET-minutes/week (p < 0.001).
This study evaluated the impact of financial incentives and social feedback on physical activity in adults with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes, finding significant increases in daily step count and physical activity levels.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Medium-Term (3–12 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study evaluated the impact of financial incentives and social feedback on physical activity in adults with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes, finding significant increases in daily step count and physical activity levels.
Improving physical activity is crucial for managing Type 2 diabetes, as it can help control blood sugar levels and reduce complications. This study suggests that while financial incentives and social feedback can motivate increased physical activity, they may not be sufficient alone to achieve significant metabolic health improvements.
No significant changes in metabolic outcomes were observed. The study may not be generalizable to all populations with Type 2 diabetes. The long-term sustainability of increased physical activity was not assessed.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Cheryl WYL, Harley HYK, Jiaxi Y, et al. Financial Incentives and Social Feedback to Improve Physical Activity in Adults with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism. 2026;28(5):3644-3654. doi:10.1111/dom.70541
The financial incentive group increased daily step count by 1283 steps/day (p < 0.001).
The financial incentive and social feedback group increased daily step count by 1545 steps/day (p < 0.001).
The social feedback group increased physical activity by 774 MET-minutes/week (p < 0.001).
Evidence network
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This study contributes evidence to Financial incentive and social comparison feedback, Stepped care diabetes prevention program with financial incentives and Daily step count, LDL cholesterol, Physical activity level (MET-minutes per week), and 3 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Financial incentive and social comparison feedback
Primary outcomes
Primary intervention
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
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Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
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Related topics
6
Evidence pairs
573
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Contributes evidence
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Contributes evidence
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Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
Evidence topic
matched_outcome
Related evidence
Evidence topic
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Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Financial incentive and social comparison feedback → Daily step count
Financial incentive and social comparison feedback → Daily step count
Financial incentive and social comparison feedback → LDL cholesterol
Financial incentive and social comparison feedback → LDL cholesterol
Financial incentive and social comparison feedback → Physical activity level (MET-minutes per week)
Financial incentive and social comparison feedback → Physical activity level (MET-minutes per week)
Financial incentive and social comparison feedback → Triglycerides
Financial incentive and social comparison feedback → Triglycerides
Stepped care diabetes prevention program with financial incentives → Body weight
Stepped care diabetes prevention program with financial incentives → Body weight
Stepped care diabetes prevention program with financial incentives → HbA1c
Stepped care diabetes prevention program with financial incentives → HbA1c
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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Financial incentive and social comparison feedback and Activities of Daily Living, Financial incentive and social comparison feedback and Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Behavioral & Lifestyle
Behavioral & Lifestyle
Behavioral & Lifestyle
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring Activities of Daily Living
Measures Activities of Daily Living as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers
Measures Adipokine and Angiogenic Markers as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Body Weight
Measures Body Weight as a key outcome.
All studies on Financial incentive and social comparison feedback
Contributes to Financial incentive and social comparison feedback evidence base.
All studies on Stepped care diabetes prevention program with financial incentives
Contributes to Stepped care diabetes prevention program with financial incentives evidence base.
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1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Financial incentive and social comparison feedback appears to improve Daily step count.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Daily step count
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Financial incentive and social comparison feedback appears to improve Physical activity level (MET-minutes per week).
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Physical activity level (MET-minutes per week)
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Financial incentive and social comparison feedback for LDL cholesterol.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
LDL cholesterol
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Financial incentive and social comparison feedback for Triglycerides.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Triglycerides
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
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