Programmes built on a theory about intentions changed behaviour. Planning alone did not.

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   The paper pooled 82 studies with 123 programmes and about 25,000 people in all. People were aged 8 to 82, about 30 on average, and 39 in 100 were men.

2. 02

   What they did

   Each programme used one or more methods, such as giving information, building skills or setting goals. About half of the other groups got nothing or were still waiting. The rest got something else, such as a placebo or usual care.

3. 03

   What happened

   Across 40 studies, behaviour changed more than in the other groups. Planning alone had no clear effect on behaviour. Group programmes had bigger average effects than individual ones, but the ranges overlapped.

What the review found

1. Helped

   Across 40 studies, programmes built on this theory got people to do more of the behaviour.

   Pooled analysis of 40 studies with 9,395 people · vs groups that got nothing, waited, or got something else · they rated themselves · ⚠ the studies disagreed a lot; mixes trials with other kinds of study

2. Helped

   Across 14 studies, group programmes changed behaviour more than solo ones did.

   • Rule: Practise with a grouptested

   Pooled analysis of 14 studies · vs programmes for individuals · they rated themselves · ⚠ the studies disagreed a lot; mixes trials with other kinds of study

3. No difference

   Across nine studies, detailed planning did not change behaviour more than other groups did.

   • Action: Make an if-then plan for your obstacletested
   • Rule: Write down when and wheretested

   Pooled analysis of 9 studies · vs groups that got no help with plans · they rated themselves · ⚠ mixes trials with other kinds of study

Source