Internet-based contingency management increases walking in sedentary adults.

Researchers paid sedentary adults to walk more. They used an online system to track daily steps and give small cash rewards for meeting goals.

Twelve adults over 50 joined. The goals went up each week. Money arrived only when they hit the new target.

Eleven of the twelve people doubled their daily steps while the money flowed. When payments stopped, step counts dropped in half.

The gains showed up fast, within the first two weeks.

Batchelder et al. (2023) ran a near-copy of the same plan and saw the same big jump in steps. They also proved you can ask for a $25 deposit up front and still get results, cutting program cost.

Buckles et al. (2026) moved the idea to adults with intellectual disabilities. Instead of cash, they used team games. Steps still rose, showing the trick works even when you swap money for points and fun.

DeFulio et al. (2023) swapped walking for pill-taking. Their phone app paid people for verified buprenorphine doses and kept 76 % adherence. Same online-token recipe, new health habit.

You can set up a simple online wallet and pay clients, staff, or caregivers for any daily health task. Start with small, sure-to-hit step goals and raise them weekly. If funding pauses, expect a drop, so plan for steady reinforcement or a fade-out schedule. The method travels well across ages and abilities, so try it for any sedentary client who owns a smartphone.