Abstract
Although incentive-based treatments can promote a range of health-related outcomes, including smoking cessation and weight loss, researchers have found that they have poor acceptability under some conditions. The present studies add to the literature by examining the current acceptability of incentive-based treatments using discrete choice experiments in which low acceptability was previously demonstrated. In Study 1, we assessed the acceptability of financial and grocery voucher incentives compared to standard treatments for smoking cessation and weight loss (n = 51). In Study 2, we assessed the acceptability of deposit contracts and financial incentives versus standard treatments (n = 50). Acceptability was measured as the proportion of participants who chose incentive-based treatments over standard treatments, evaluated across a range of effectiveness levels (10–40%). In both studies, financial incentives and standard treatments were equivalently acceptable when stated effectiveness was equal. Deposit contract acceptability was also equivalent to financial incentives and standard treatments at equal effectiveness levels. Last, the acceptability of all incentives increased as stated effectiveness increased. Our findings correspond with some recent evaluations indicating that incentive-based treatments may be more acceptable than previously shown. Future work should explore methods to increase their adoption across diverse stakeholders and settings.