Challenges in Conducting a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Impact of Financial Incentives on Physical Activity Participation for Adults

Osteoarthritis is a chronic musculoskeletal joint problem associated with pain and physical dysfunction. Core strategies to manage osteoarthritis symptoms include exercise and physical activity. However, the majority of people with osteoarthritis do not meet physical activity guidelines for good general health. Financial incentive interventions may be an effective strategy to encourage people to increase their physical activity. Our team wished to develop a financial incentive intervention to increase physical activity in people with osteoarthritis. Before we could do so, it was critical to synthesize the current evidence on the effect of financial incentives on physical activity, irrespective of the population. This case study describes the steps we followed to conduct our systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on financial incentives, along with some of the challenges that we encountered and overcame during the process. In addition to being introduced to recommended guidelines on conducting a quality systematic review and meta-analysis, readers will be exposed to many practical insights of how to conduct a quality review. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials is a robust study design for determining the effects of an intervention and provides a high level of evidence that can inform recommendations about health care. Understanding how to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis is one of the best skills you can develop as a student