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. 2023 Apr 26;24:296. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07268-2

Table 3.

Shortlist of BCTs selected through consensus along with the TDF domains they are known to be effective in targeting (within our nine identified domains)

Behaviour change technique
Definition
Targeted TDF domain(s)

1.1. Goal setting (behaviour)

Set or agree on a goal defined in terms of the behaviour to be achieved

Goals
Behavioural regulationa

1.2. Problem solving

Analyse, or prompt the person to analyse, factors influencing the behaviour and generate or select strategies that include overcoming barriers and/or increasing facilitators (includes ‘Relapse Prevention’ and ‘Coping Planning’)

Behavioural regulation
Skillsa

1.3. Goal setting (outcome)

Set or agree on a goal defined in terms of a positive outcome of wanted behaviour

Goals

1.5. Review behaviour goal(s)

Review behaviour goal(s) jointly with the person and consider modifying goal(s) or behaviour change strategy in light of achievement. This may lead to re-setting the same goal, a small change in that goal or setting a new goal instead of (or in addition to) the first, or no change

Goals

1.7. Review outcome goal(s)

Review outcome goal(s) jointly with the person and consider modifying goal(s) in light of achievement. This may lead to resetting the same goal, a small change in that goal or setting a new goal instead of, or in addition to the first

Goals

2.3. Self-monitoring of behaviour

Establish a method for the person to monitor and record their behaviour(s) as part of a behaviour change strategy

Behavioural regulation

3.2. Social support (practical)

Advise on, arrange, or provide practical help (e.g. from friends, relatives, colleagues, ‘buddies’ or staff) for performance of the behaviour

Environmental context and resources
Social influences

4.1. Instruction on how to perform behaviour

Advise or agree on how to perform the behaviour (includes ‘Skills training’)

Knowledge
Skills

5.1. Information about health consequences

Provide information (e.g. written, verbal, visual) about health consequences of performing the behaviour

Knowledge
Beliefs about consequences

5.2. Salience of consequences

Use methods specifically designed to emphasise the consequences of performing the behaviour with the aim of making them more memorable (goes beyond informing about consequences)

Beliefs about consequences

5.3. Information about social and environmental consequences

Provide information (e.g. written, verbal, visual) about social and environmental consequences of performing the behaviour

Knowledge
Beliefs about consequences

5.5. Anticipated regret

Induce or raise awareness of expectations of future regret about performance of the unwanted behaviour

Beliefs about consequences

5.6. Information about emotional consequences

Provide information (e.g. written, verbal, visual) about emotional consequences of performing the behaviour

Beliefs about consequences

6.2. Social comparison

Draw attention to others’ performance to allow comparison with the person’s own performance

Social/professional role and identitya
Social influences

6.3. Information about others’ approval

Provide information about what other people think about the behaviour. The information clarifies whether others will like, approve or disapprove of what the person is doing or will do

Social influences

7.1. Prompts/cues

Introduce or define environmental or social stimulus with the purpose of prompting or cueing the behaviour. The

prompt or cue would normally occur at the time or place of performance

Environmental context and resources
Beliefs about consequencesa

8.1. Behavioural practice/rehearsal

Prompt practice or rehearsal of the performance of the behaviour one or more times in a context or at a time when the performance may not be necessary, in order to increase habit and skills

Skills

8.7. Graded tasks

Set easy-to-perform tasks, making them increasingly difficult, but achievable, until behaviour is performed

Skills
Goalsa

9.2. Pros and cons

Advise the person to identify and compare reasons for wanting (pros) and not wanting to (cons) change the behaviour (includes ‘Decisional balance’)

Beliefs about consequences

10.3. Non-specific reward

Arrange delivery of a reward if and only if there has been effort and/or progress in performing the behaviour (includes ‘Positive reinforcement’)

Reinforcement

10.4. Social reward

Arrange verbal or non-verbal reward if and only if there has been effort and/or progress in performing the behaviour (includes ‘Positive reinforcement’)

Reinforcement
Social influences

10.10. Reward (outcome)

Arrange for the delivery of a reward if and only if there has been effort and/or progress in achieving the behavioural outcome (includes ‘Positive reinforcement’)

Beliefs about consequences
Reinforcement

11.3. Conserving mental resources

Advise on ways of minimising demands on mental resources to facilitate behaviour change

Behavioural regulation
Environmental context and resourcesa

12.1. Restructuring the physical environment

Change, or advise to change the physical environment in order to facilitate performance of the wanted behaviour or create barriers to the unwanted behaviour (other than prompts/cues, rewards and punishments)

Environmental context and resources

12.2. Restructuring the social environment

Change, or advise to change the social environment in order to facilitate performance of the wanted behaviour or create barriers to the unwanted behaviour (other than prompts/cues, rewards and punishments)

Environmental context and resources
Social influencesa

12.5. Adding objects to the environment

Add objects to the environment in order to facilitate performance of the behaviour

Environmental context and resources

aDomain-BCT evidence link is inconclusive