A multi-component stair climbing promotional campaign targeting calorific expenditure for worksites; a quasi-experimental study testing effects on behaviour, attitude and intention

Abstract

BackgroundAccumulation of lifestyle physical activity is a current aim of health promotion, with increased stair climbing one public health target. While the workplace provides an opportunity for regular stair climbing, evidence for effectiveness of point-of-choice interventions is equivocal. This paper reports a new approach to worksite interventions, aimed at changing attitudes and, hence, behaviour.MethodsPre-testing of calorific expenditure messages used structured interviews with members of the public (n = 300). Effects of multi-component campaigns on stair climbing were tested with quasi-experimental, interrupted time-series designs. In one worksite, a main campaign poster outlining the amount of calorific expenditure obtainable from stair climbing and a conventional point-of-choice prompt were used (Poster alone site). In a second worksite, additional messages in the stairwell about calorific expenditure reinforced the main campaign (Poster + Stairwell messages site). The outcome variables were automated observations of stair and lift ascent (28,854) and descent (29,352) at baseline and for three weeks after the intervention was installed. Post-intervention questionnaires for employees at the worksites assessed responses to the campaign (n = 253). Analyses employed Analysis of Variance with follow-up Bonferroni t-tests (message pre-testing), logistic regression of stair ascent and descent (campaign testing), and Bonferroni t-tests and multiple regression (follow-up questionnaire).ResultsPre-testing of messages based on calorific expenditure suggested they could motivate stair climbing if believed. The new campaign increased stair climbing, with greater effects at the Poster + Stairwell messages site (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.40-1.66) than Posters alone (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.15-1.34). Follow-up revealed higher agreement with two statements about calorific outcomes of stair climbing in the site where they were installed in the stairwell, suggesting more positive attitudes resulted from the intervention. Future intentions for stair use were predicted by motivation by the campaign and beliefs that stair climbing would help weight control.ConclusionsMulti-component campaigns that target attitudes and intentions may substantially increase stair climbing at work.

Promoting workplace stair climbing: sometimes, not interfering is the best

“…In addition, average stair climbing in the control building was 19.0% higher than in the intervention building and this site displayed no difference between stair climbing and descent. In a similar study by Eves, Webb, Griffin & Chambers [24], results showed significantly higher increase in stair climbing, when using two simultaneous interventions, rather than a single intervention. The two interventions were placed at the point of choice and inside the stairwell, similar to the intervention placements in the present study.…”

“…Because of its current use in Norway, and lack of positive evidence, it is in need of re-testing. Previous research gives reasonable expectations towards a greater effect when combining interventions [24], and the combination of footprints and positive feedback has, to our knowledge, never been tested. All aforementioned interventions are created to influence decision making, while people retain their opportunity to choose freely.…”

Maintenance of the Rate of Stair Use over a Long‐term Period Using a Stair Climbing Campaign

“…Interventions with point-of-choice prompts at worksites increase stair use by only +0.1% on average 10) . However, in the present study, the average rate of stair use during the long-term campaign period was maintained above 51% in women and 60% in men.…”

“…We used message banners as point-of-choice prompts in our study. Such messages convince workers to change their behavior and can alter attitudes 10) . Point-of-choice prompts help translate positive intentions into behavior.…”

“…Stair use has been shown to increase when using point-of-choice prompts at worksites 10−14) ; however, these previous studies only employed short-term surveys, and there is no evidence that stair use is maintained at worksites over the long term. We previously reported the effects of prompts on stair use 15,16) , although we did 10) ; however, such effects have not been examined over long-term investigation periods, and the influence on the attitudes of Japanese office workers is unknown.…”