SynthesisSystematic reviews2026
The effect of identity-related interventions on physical activity- and smoking-related identities and behavior: a mixed-methods systematic review.
Synthesis in Systematic reviews, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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.
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.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Digital future-self interventions to promote physical activity: perspectives of minimally active middle-aged and older adults.Journal of imagery research in sport and physical activity · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundIdentity, representations individuals hold about themselves, drives health behavior change, influencing both health-promoting and health-compromising behaviors. This mixed-methods systematic review synthesizes interventions directly targeting physical activity (PA)- and/or smoking-related identities to promote PA and smoking cessation in individuals aged 12 years and over. It also examines the effects of these interventions on identity and behavior, as well as mediators or moderators of effectiveness.
methodsA comprehensive search across nine databases identified 5801 records, with 19 reports (20 studies) being included. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed study quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.
resultsFour types of identity-related interventions were identified: possible-self interventions, multi-component interventions incorporating identity components, possible-self avatar games, and identity-challenge interventions. Intervention effectiveness was mixed: nearly half of the studies reported significant positive effects on PA- and smoking-related identities and behaviors, while others found no significant differences. No significant negative effects were reported. Although results seem similar for both behaviors, more studies focused on PA, complicating direct comparisons. One study suggested that integrating PA promotion and smoking cessation into a single intervention could be beneficial, but further research is needed. Identified mediators and moderators include self-efficacy, planning, and consideration of future consequences.
conclusionsOverall, identity-related interventions show promise for PA promotion and smoking cessation, but optimal design and operationalization remain uncertain. Tailoring these interventions to individual characteristics may enhance effectiveness and contribute to public health. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework https://osf.io/avtx4/.
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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.