Goal-setting
Goal-setting has been studied in 12 papers since 2016: 8 trials and 2 observational studies in people, 2 reviews; 3 in the past year. The newest paper, Oct 24, 2026: “Acceptability, Safety and Feasibility of a Sedentary Behaviour Intervention (REACH-SCI) in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury: A Mixed-Methods Study”.
12 papers study it11 findingsUpdated
1 new paper in 30 daysSee all 11 papers on goal-setting
At a glance
Independent labs found the same change in people. 5 independent labs in 4 countries.
“The improvement on the Kihon Checklist for the intervention group was approximately 60 % from baseline to 9-months follow-up; the control group improved by approximately 40 %.”
1 of its findings points the other way.
- 5 independent labs in 4 countries
- 1 finding against
- Funders: Changsha Science and Technology Bureau and 7 more
- Human trial7
- Humans2
Studies in people
5 studies gave goal-setting to people and measured what changed.
| What changed | Design | People | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
no change: Has no effect on dementia risk reduction behavior change | Treated cohort | 135 peopleBothM age = 74.55Older adults; in individuals with SCD or MCI in digital intervention | AAIC 2025 abstract, Dec 23, 2025 |
down: Decreases frailtyMD: -0.25, 95 % CI: -0.47 to -0.02 up: Increases resistance exercise adherenceweek 12: MD: 6.42, 95 % CI: 2.45 to 10.40 | Randomized trial6 weeks | 114 peopleOlder adults | International journal of nursing studies, Aug 6, 2025 |
| Randomized trial12 weeks | 107 people23 (23.4%) participants were malemedian age 67.0 yearsOlder adults aged ≥60 years with mild cognitive impairment and physical activity level lower than WHO recommendations | Frontiers in sports and active living, May 7, 2024 | |
no change: Has no effect on physical activity | Randomized trial6 months | 52 people60-85 yearsOlder adults; mild cognitive impairment or subjective cognitive decline | Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD, Jan 1, 2021 |
down: Decreases frailty up: Improves quality of lifetime × group interaction p = 0.022 | Trial12 weeks | 143 people77.6 % femaleaverage age of 75.6 years (SD 5.7 years)Older people aged 65 or over living in the community in Izumi, Osaka, Japan, who were assessed as frail using the MHLW’s “Kihon Checklist” | BMC geriatrics, May 12, 2016 |
What did studies of goal-setting find?
6Studies of goal-setting measured 6 outcomes; the most studied are physical activity (3 studies), frailty (2) and quality of life (1).
Physical activity
upin humans2no changein humans1
3 studies
Physical activity
upin humans2no changein humans1
Goal-setting increases physical activity in humans (adjusted for age, gender, education, occupation, smoking, and baseline PA) (B = 0.19, p < 0.01).
“After adjusting for age, gender, education, occupation, smoking, and baseline PA, reminding (B = 0.21, p < 0.01), role modeling (B = 0.31, p < 0.01), and goal-setting (B = 0.19, p < 0.01) significantly increased PA at 12 weeks.”
Human trialadjusted for age, gender, education, occupation, smoking, and baseline PA12 weeksn = 107
Frontiers in sports and active living
Goal-setting showed no clear effect on physical activity in humans (mild cognitive impairment or subjective cognitive decline).
“No significant between-group differences were observed for PA or fitness.”
Human trialmild cognitive impairment or subjective cognitive decline6 monthsn = 52
Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD
Goal-setting increases physical activity in humans (SMD 0.29, 95% CI 0.05-0.53).
“Meta-regression found behaviour change techniques of goal setting (SMD 0.29, 95% CI 0.05-0.53) and feedback (excluding high risk of bias trials) (SMD 0.35, 95% CI 0.11-0.60) were independently associated with increased physical activity.”
Review
Age and ageing
Frailty
downin humans2
2 studies
Frailty
downin humans2
Goal-setting decreases frailty in humans (MD: -0.25, 95 % CI: -0.47 to -0.02).
“The goal-setting on group exhibited statistical significance in improving frailty (week 6: MD: -0.25, 95 % CI: -0.47 to -0.02)”
Human trial6 weeksn = 114
International journal of nursing studies
Goal-setting decreases frailty in a preventive care program.
“LGST produced improvements on the frailty criteria.”
Human trialin a preventive care program12 weeks
BMC geriatrics
Quality of life
upin humans1
1 study
Quality of life
upin humans1
Goal-setting improves quality of life in a preventive care program (time × group interaction p = 0.022).
“The differences yielded a significant time × group interaction effect (p = 0.022).”
Human trialin a preventive care program12 weeks
BMC geriatrics
Goal-setting improves quality of life in community-dwelling frail older people receiving preventive care exercise classes.
“Analysis of QOL yielded a significant time × group interaction effect (p = 0.022). The effect was significant at 3 months in the intervention group, but at no time in the control group.”
Human trialin community-dwelling frail older people receiving preventive care exercise classes3 monthsn = 176
BMC geriatrics
Dementia risk reduction behavior change
no changein humans1
1 study
Dementia risk reduction behavior change
no changein humans1
Goal-setting showed no clear effect on dementia risk reduction behavior change in individuals with SCD or MCI in digital intervention.
“Engagement in goal setting alone did not significantly predict behaviour change in this context.”
Human trialin individuals with SCD or MCI in digital interventionn = 135
AAIC 2025 abstract
Resistance exercise adherence
upin humans1
1 study
Resistance exercise adherence
upin humans1
Goal-setting increases resistance exercise adherence in humans (week 12: MD: 6.42, 95 % CI: 2.45 to 10.40).
“and resistance exercises adherence (week 6: MD: 6.37, 95 % CI: 2.40 to 10.30; week 12: MD: 6.42, 95 % CI: 2.45 to 10.40).”
Human trial12 weeksn = 114
International journal of nursing studies
Frailty
downin humans1
1 study
Frailty
downin humans1
Goal-setting decreases frailty in community-dwelling frail older people receiving preventive care exercise classes (approximately 60 % vs 40 %).
“The improvement on the Kihon Checklist for the intervention group was approximately 60 % from baseline to 9-months follow-up; the control group improved by approximately 40 %.”
Human trialin community-dwelling frail older people receiving preventive care exercise classes9 monthsn = 176
BMC geriatrics
What is goal-setting linked with?
1Studies link goal-setting with 1 measure, most often MIND diet adherence (1 study).
MIND diet adherence
upin humans1
1 study
MIND diet adherence
upin humans1
Goal-setting is associated with MIND diet adherence in humans (secondary analysis of self-directed SMART goals) (β = .024, p = .038).
“higher‐quality self‐directed SMART goals were associated with improved MIND diet adherence (β =.024, p =.038)”
Human trialsecondary analysis of self-directed SMART goalsn = 135
AAIC 2025 abstract
Funding
5 grants since 2022National Institute on Aging$4.8MJapan Society for the Promotion of Science¥2.3M
National Institute on AgingArizona State University-tempe Campus$713K2022–2027
National Institute on AgingUniversity of Colorado$764K2023–2028
National Institute on AgingUniversity of Colorado$350K2023–2025
National Institute on AgingArizona State University-tempe Campus$191K2022–2024
Japan Society for the Promotion of ScienceMorinomiya University of Medical Sciences¥2.3M2022–2026