psyche
Motivation Increase
Motivation Increase is a psyche-related outcome describing a greater willingness or drive to begin, continue, or participate in an activity. In the available examples, it includes exercise motivation, a more positive and competitive sports mindset, and stronger compliance with an activity.
See where Motivation Increase fits among psyche-related effects.
These are research findings, not promises. Most options have little evidence, and results differ from person to person.
What may help
What studies found for each option, best evidence first.
34 options:3 some evidence8 not enough evidence2 not tested in people18 personal stories only3 no benefit found
DancepracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 4 studies with a clear result found a benefit. Strongest study: a pooled analysis of several trials.
Among 38 people with chronic heart failure, a pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded found greater intrinsic motivation with Greek dance than with traditional aerobic and resistance training, including enjoyment/interest (g=2.96), effort/importance (g=3.49) and perceived competence (g=1.76). A separate review found that task-involving climates predicted dancers' engagement (β = 0.24–0.39).
Open the Dance pagePsychotherapypracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 2 studies with a clear result found a benefit. Strongest study: a systematic review of studies.
A systematic review found a small improvement in self-efficacy among 77 people in its analysis. Patients also described positive terminations as giving them confidence for future coping.
Open the Psychotherapy pageTai ChipracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 3 studies with a clear result found a benefit. Strongest study: a randomized controlled trial.
Open the Tai Chi pageBrisk WalkingpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
1 of 2 studies found a benefit; 1 found none. Strongest study: a randomized controlled trial.
Open the Brisk Walking pageAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)practiceNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
6 of 7 studies found a benefit; 1 found none. Strongest study: a randomized controlled trial.
In a trial of 140 people, the intervention group's final test AMS score was almost twice that of the control group. A separate trial reported improved autonomous motivation at 12-week (adjusted mean difference, aMD = 4.74); findings differ, as a trial of 40 people found a mild change in readiness to change that was not statistically significant.
Open the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) pageSwimmingpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit. Strongest study: a systematic review of studies.
A review reported that participants in the intervention group had higher post-intervention Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale scores than the control group.
Open the Swimming pageMeditationpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit. Strongest study: a randomized controlled trial.
Open the Meditation pageCyclingpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
2 of 4 studies found a benefit; 2 found none. Strongest study: a randomized controlled trial.
In a randomized trial of 114 people with osteoarthritis, compliance was higher in the VR cycling group than in the non-VR group. Other findings point in different directions: participants in one qualitative study described the virtual landscape as motivating, while another randomized trial found higher external motivation in a per-protocol analysis.
Open the Cycling page
Comparing practices
- DanceSome evidence it helps4 trials
- PsychotherapySome evidence it helps2 trials
- Tai ChiSome evidence it helps1 trial
The expert view shows every study, dose protocol and source.
What may help
Linked to improving it34 listedStart here
Most likely to help, from the evidence we have
- →PracticesDanceCertaintyMediumSourceRCT5 other sources
Among 38 people with chronic heart failure, a pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded found greater intrinsic motivation with Greek dance than with traditional aerobic and resistance training, including enjoyment/interest (g=2.96), effort/importance (g=3.49) and perceived competence (g=1.76). A separate review found that task-involving climates predicted dancers' engagement (β = 0.24–0.39).
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
Open DanceStudy result
Greek dance resulted in greater improvements in intrinsic motivation in the domains of enjoyment/interest (g=2.96), effort/importance (g=3.49) and perceived competence (g=1.76), for participants with chronic heart failure, when compared with a traditional aerobic and resistance training programme
- →PracticesPsychotherapyCertaintyMediumSourceClinical3 other sources
A systematic review found a small improvement in self-efficacy among 77 people in its analysis (F=10.76, p<0.05, d=0.22). Patients also described positive terminations as giving them confidence for future coping.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open PsychotherapyStudy result
Self-efficacy (GSES) F=10.76, p<0.05, d=0.22 — small significant improvement in self-efficacy (Lee et al. 2006)
- →PracticesTai ChiCertaintyMediumSourceClinical3 other sources
A 2026 trial of 71 people found that exercise motivation increased from 61.94±8.52 to 69.17±5.52 in the Tai Chi with music group, compared with 61.78±9.16 to 65.03±6.84 in the Tai Chi group. A 2024 review also reported higher motivation when Tai Chi was practiced with music than without it.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
Open Tai ChiStudy result
Exercise motivation (MPAM-R) showed significant time × group interaction (F(1,69)=5.736, p=0.019, η²p=0.077); MTCC group improved from 61.94±8.52 to 69.17±5.52 vs TCC group 61.78±9.16 to 65.03±6.84
Low probability(30)(0)(30)
- →PracticesBrisk WalkingCertaintyLowSourceRCT3 other sources
A 2025 trial of 130 people with Coronary Artery Disease found a higher SEE score in the intervention group than in the control group after 12 weeks (MD 7.96 points).
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Coronary Artery Disease
Open Brisk WalkingStudy result
The SEE score of the intervention group was higher than that of the control group after 12 weeks of intervention (t=-9.186, p<0.001).
- →PracticesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)CertaintyLowSourceClinical7 other sources
In a trial of 140 people, the intervention group's final test AMS score was almost twice that of the control group (between-group p=0.011). A separate trial reported improved autonomous motivation at 12-week (adjusted mean difference, aMD = 4.74); findings differ, as a trial of 40 people found a mild change in readiness to change that was not statistically significant (P=.57).
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Addiction
- Schizophrenia
Open Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Study result
The experimental group's final test AMS score was almost twice that of the control group; between-group p=0.011.
- →PracticesSwimmingCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
A review reported that participants in the intervention group had higher post-intervention Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale scores than the control group (p = 0.015).
Open SwimmingStudy result
In the study by Lai et al., the intervention group had significantly higher post-intervention Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale scores than the control group (p = 0.015).
- →PracticesMeditationCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
Significantly reduced reports of dropout intention in those assigned to the mindfulness practice condition at T1 relative to T4 (t(40) = 3.24, p = .002, d = −.51). The overall time × condition effect was not significant (F = 1.84, p = .120). Controls also reduced dropout intention at some time point
- →PracticesCyclingCertaintyLowSourceClinicalconflicting findings5 other sources
In a randomized trial of 114 people with osteoarthritis, compliance was higher in the VR cycling group than in the non-VR group (χ²=11.19; P=.01). Other findings point in different directions: participants in one qualitative study described the virtual landscape as motivating, while another randomized trial found higher external motivation in a per-protocol analysis (mean difference 0.38, p=0.037; d=0.38).
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Osteoarthritis
Open CyclingStudy result
Compliance levels among patients in the VR moderate-intensity cycling group exceeded those of the non-VR Moderate-Intensity Stationary Cycling group, resulting in a statistically significant difference (χ²=11.19; P=.01).
- →PracticesLatin Dance FitnessCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
A 2025 trial of 43 participants with Menopause found a lower amotivation score in the ZG group than in the control group. This result concerns the amotivation component, rather than a direct measure of increased motivation.
Who was studied
- Healthy people
- Menopause
Open Latin Dance FitnessStudy result
results on the BREQ-2 showed a significant group effect on the amotivation component only (F(1) = 9.846, p = 0.003, ƞp^2: 0202), with a significantly lower value in the ZG compared to the C group
- →PracticesYoga NidraCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
A quasi-experimental study in 36 healthy people reported improvements in enthusiasm, quietude, feeling inspired and alert, clarity of thought, and control over anger.
Who was studied
- Healthy people
Open Yoga NidraStudy result
There was statistically significant improvement in the qualities of enthusiasm, quietude, feeling inspired, alert, and having clarity of thoughts and control over anger.
- →PracticesHatha YogaCertaintyLowSourceClinical2 other sources
A case series with 59 students reported improved behavioural engagement among those who completed a yoga programme (USEI; Wilcoxon signed rank test p=0.018).
Open Hatha YogaStudy result
Improvements in behavioural engagement were noted among students who completed the yoga programme (USEI; Wilcoxon signed rank test p=0.018)
- →PracticesBinaural BeatsCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 12 of 362 community reports discussing it (YouTube 10, Reddit 2).
- →PracticesBox BreathingCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 301 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesBreathworkCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 2 of 205 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesCalisthenicsCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 5 of 75 YouTube videos discussing it.
- →PracticesFocused Attention MeditationCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 237 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesIce Bath / Cold PlungeCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 5 of 372 community reports discussing it (Reddit 3, YouTube 2).
- →PracticesJump Rope TrainingCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 2 of 213 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesLaughter Yoga / TherapyCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 2 of 31 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesLoving-Kindness Meditation (Metta)CertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 260 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesMindfulness MeditationCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 293 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesOil PullingCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 2 of 156 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesPilatesCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 2 of 151 YouTube videos discussing it.
- →PracticesQigongCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 250 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesIndoor RowingCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 242 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesWim Hof Method BreathingCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 315 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesYogaCertaintyLowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 5 of 327 Reddit reports discussing it.
- →PracticesHigh-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)CertaintyLowSourceTheoretical2 other sources
In a qualitative study of 20 people with rheumatoid arthritis or sarcopenia, 15 said they continued exercising after the supervised period ended, while five did not.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sarcopenia
Open High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)Study result
A total of 15 patients said that they had continued to exercise after the supervised exercise period had ended, whereas five patients did not.
- →PracticesCardioCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical2 other sources
This is a proposed link rather than a finding demonstrated in human studies.
Open CardioWho was studied
- People with a condition
- →PracticesHot YogaCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical2 other sources
An RCT with 32 participants found no statistically significant condition-by-time interactions for its secondary outcomes.
Open Hot YogaWho was studied
- People with a condition
- ADHD
- →PracticesMobility TrainingCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical2 other sources
Studies did not support an increase in motivation. In a pilot involving 17 people with Parkinson's Disease, both physical therapists and participants responded positively to their experience during play sessions, with median Interest scores above the neutral point of four.
Open Mobility TrainingWho was studied
- People with a condition
- Parkinsons Disease
- →PracticesGratitude JournalCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical1 other source
In the reported finding, SDI scores were higher on Day14 (M=23.89, SD=13.32) than on Day7 (M=20.65, SD=13.93, p=0.006) and Day0 (M=17.42, SD=16.70, p=0.008).
Who was studied
- Healthy people
Open Gratitude JournalStudy result
the SDI scores on Day14 (M=23.89, SD=13.32) were significantly higher than the scores on Day7 (M=20.65, SD=13.93, p=0.006) and Day0 (M=17.42, SD=16.70, p=0.008)
Very low probability(1)(1)(0)
- →SupplementsSea Moss (Irish Moss)CertaintyVery lowSourceAnecdotal1 other source
This effect was mentioned in 3 of 250 Reddit reports discussing it.
Practices compared
Practices with at least one trial of their own for this goal. Ranked by how sure the evidence is, then effect size.| Practice | How sure | Effect size | Own trials | What worked in trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dance | CertaintyMediumSourceRCT | 4 trials or pooled analyses | 12–36 min | |
| Psychotherapy | CertaintyMediumSourceClinical | 2 trials or pooled analyses | ||
| Tai Chi | CertaintyMediumSourceClinical | 1 trial or pooled analysis | ||
| Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) | CertaintyLowSourceClinical | 3 trials or pooled analyses | 4–6 weeks | |
| Brisk Walking | CertaintyLowSourceRCT | 1 trial or pooled analysis | ||
| Meditation | CertaintyLowSourceClinical | 1 trial or pooled analysis | ||
| Swimming | CertaintyLowSourceClinical | 1 trial or pooled analysis | ||
| Yoga Nidra | CertaintyLowSourceClinical | 1 trial or pooled analysis | ||
| Latin Dance Fitness | CertaintyLowSourceClinical | 1 trial or pooled analysis |
What worked in trials: From the smallest to the typical amount in the trials that found this benefit. Not the most anyone did, not a target and not a limit.
How to read the evidence
Evidence tier — overall strength of the evidence for the whole compound
- StrongWell established — backed by strong, consistent human research.
- ModerateSome genuine support, but mostly from small or lower-quality studies. Promising, not proven.
- PreliminaryEarly-stage evidence — a promising hypothesis, not an established effect yet.
- LimitedVery limited evidence — treat this as a hypothesis, not proof.
- InsufficientNot enough good evidence to draw conclusions yet.
Certainty — how sure we can be that the effect is real
- Very highVery sure — strong, consistent evidence
- HighFairly sure — consistent evidence from good studies
- MediumModerately sure — new studies could change this
- LowNot sure — little or mixed evidence
- Very lowVery unsure — almost no usable evidence
Source — where the data comes from
- Meta-analysisPooled analysis of many trials — the strongest evidence
- RCTRandomized controlled trial — a strong human study design
- ClinicalA human clinical study
- Reference knowledgeFrom general health-science or pharmacology references, not a study of this exact claim
- Animal researchStudied in animals, not humans
- Community reportsAggregated user reports — anecdotal signal, not evidence
- TheoreticalMechanism-based reasoning, not yet tested
Study grade — quality of each underlying study (A best, D weakest)
- AHigh-quality — strong, consistent human trials
- BGood — solid evidence with some limitations
- CModerate — limited, small, or mixed-quality studies
- DWeak — preliminary, indirect, or animal-only
Confidence — how strongly the sources back a finding
A 0–100 score from study quality and agreement
Most supplement evidence is graded C–D. Read it as preliminary signal, not proof.
Full write-up
What is it
Motivation Increase is a psyche-related outcome describing a greater willingness or drive to begin, continue, or participate in an activity. In the available examples, it includes exercise motivation, a more positive and competitive sports mindset, and stronger compliance with an activity.
It describes motivation itself, not a direct measure of physical performance or fitness. The outcome may be assessed in people with clinical conditions or in mixed groups, so findings may not apply equally to everyone.
How interventions help
Interventions linked with increased motivation fall into several practical groups. Yoga and Tai Chi are movement-based approaches studied in people with clinical or mixed health status, with findings involving a more positive and competitive sports mindset or improved exercise-motivation measures. Cycling and swimming also focus on participation: the reported changes relate to compliance in a cycling program and enjoyment of physical activity after swimming. These outcomes suggest that “motivation” can mean willingness to participate, enjoyment, adherence, or a more positive attitude toward exercise rather than a single uniform experience.
Other entries are supplements or recovery practices, including Ashwagandha, 5-HTP, American Ginseng, Astaxanthin, Bacopa Monnieri, Beta-Alanine, Black Seed Oil, Caffeine, Choline (Bitartrate), and Citrulline. Their reports are more limited and generally describe personal experiences rather than a consistent intervention pattern. For some of these entries, an onset is described as immediate; for others, it is described as days. This does not establish how long any change lasts, whether it continues after stopping, or whether a particular schedule is needed.
The practical difference is therefore not only the type of intervention, but also what is being changed and how it was assessed. Structured exercise approaches tend to evaluate motivation through participation, enjoyment, adherence, or mindset, while anecdotal reports are less standardized. No single dose or duration pattern is established here, and the findings should not be assumed to apply equally across healthy people, people with clinical conditions, or mixed populations.
Choosing guidance
Choose first by the kind of evidence and population that matters to you. Yoga, Tai Chi, Cycling, and Swimming have clinical research in people, but the populations differ: Yoga and Cycling were studied in clinical-condition settings, Tai Chi included mixed health statuses, and Swimming was not linked to a specified health status. These differences limit how directly the findings may apply to someone outside the studied groups.
Many of the supplement options are supported here mainly by anecdotal reports rather than controlled human research. They may be relevant for readers exploring less-established options, but reports from communities should not be treated as equivalent to evidence from human trials. Ice Bath / Cold Plunge and Box Breathing also have anecdotal support, so they fit the same cautious interpretation.
Timing can help set expectations, but it does not establish how large or reliable an effect will be. Some entries are associated with an immediate onset, while others are associated with days. Most options do not specify how much was used or how long it was continued, making direct comparisons difficult. Coenzyme Q10 is the notable exception, with a defined amount-and-duration reference in its review, although that review does not provide a numerical magnitude and is not human evidence.
No listed entry is marked as having conflicting evidence. Even so, the evidence types and studied populations vary substantially, so readers may prefer a clinically studied activity when applicability to people is the priority, or treat anecdotal options as exploratory rather than established choices.