Evidence map›Paper›PMID 26854092›Full record

SynthesisHealth psychology review2016

Theoretical explanations for maintenance of behaviour change: a systematic review of behaviour theories.

Dominika Kwasnicka, Stephan U Dombrowski, Martin White, Falko Sniehotta

Registry-linked trialAbstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Health psychology review, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06624930 (A Randomized Controlled Trial Adding Behavioural Counselling to Supervised Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors), which is not on this map. Cited by 587 papers, 12 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
587citing papers in PubMed, 12 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT06624930 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2024, after this paper: background citation

A Randomized Controlled Trial Adding Behavioural Counselling to Supervised Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of TorontoRan2024 to 2029Enrolled236ConditionsCancer, ExerciseArmsBehavioural Counselling, Exercise Counselling
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

587 citing papers in PubMed, 12 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Intervention Using Video and Comic Books Targeting Nutritional Outcomes in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association · 2026
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  9. Determinants of healthy lifestyle behaviours in colorectal cancer survivors: a systematic review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
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527 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Dominika Kwasnickaa Institute for Health and Society, Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK.
Stephan U Dombrowskic School of Natural Sciences , University of Stirling , Stirling , UK.
Martin Whited UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), University of Cambridge , Cambridge , UK.
Falko Sniehottaa Institute for Health and Society, Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK.

Funding

Medical Research Council MR/J000477/1Medical Research Council MR/K02325X/1Wellcome Trust
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBehaviour change interventions are effective in supporting individuals in achieving temporary behaviour change. Behaviour change maintenance, however, is rarely attained. The aim of this review was to identify and synthesise current theoretical explanations for behaviour change maintenance to inform future research and practice.

methodsPotentially relevant theories were identified through systematic searches of electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO). In addition, an existing database of 80 theories was searched, and 25 theory experts were consulted. Theories were included if they formulated hypotheses about behaviour change maintenance. Included theories were synthesised thematically to ascertain overarching explanations for behaviour change maintenance. Initial theoretical themes were cross-validated.

findingsOne hundred and seventeen behaviour theories were identified, of which 100 met the inclusion criteria. Five overarching, interconnected themes representing theoretical explanations for behaviour change maintenance emerged. Theoretical explanations of behaviour change maintenance focus on the differential nature and role of motives, self-regulation, resources (psychological and physical), habits, and environmental and social influences from initiation to maintenance. DISCUSSION: There are distinct patterns of theoretical explanations for behaviour change and for behaviour change maintenance. The findings from this review can guide the development and evaluation of interventions promoting maintenance of health behaviours and help in the development of an integrated theory of behaviour change maintenance.

Indexed as

Behavior TherapyHealth BehaviorModels, PsychologicalHabitsHumansIndividualityLearningMotivationPersonal SatisfactionSelf-ControlSocial SupportBehaviour changebehaviour maintenancetheorytheory review

Identifiers

PMID26854092
PMCPMC4975085

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.