Targeting Intention, Motivation and Engagement in Physical Activity Interventions (TIME-PAI): a meta-analysis examining effective components

Abstract

Background: Intention and motivation predict behavior (change); and engagement with behavior change interventions is vital to their success. However, it is not known which components of interventions are associated with increases in intention, motivation and engagement. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates this question among interventions to increase physical activity (PA). Methods: Intervention studies that assessed changes in a measure of intention or motivation for PA, and/or engagement with intervention materials, were coded with BCTTv1. Random effects meta-analyses, comparative subgroup analyses and meta-regressions examined the effects of BCTs and modes of delivery on changes in intention and motivation for PA, and on intervention engagement. Findings: Overall, interventions had a significant main effect on measures of intention and motivation for PA. Several intervention components were significantly associated with changes in intention and motivation, as well as with increased participant engagement with intervention materials. Discussion: This study identifies intervention components associated with changes in intention and motivation for PA, and with greater engagement with PA interventions. These results can help researchers develop and refine the motivational aspects of interventions to increase PA.