Effects of environmental intervention on sedentary time, musculoskeletal comfort and work ability in office workers

Abstract

Sit-stand workstations offer a potential strategy to reduce prolonged occupational sitting. This controlled intervention study examined the effects of an environmental intervention on occupational sedentary time, musculoskeletal comfort and work ability, and the usability of sit-stand workstations in office work via a self-reported questionnaire. The intervention group (n = 24) used sit-stand workstations during the 6-month intervention period, and the control group (n = 21) used traditional sitting workstations. The results showed that working at sit-stand workstations can reduce sitting time significantly compared to control workstations (-6.7% vs. 5.0%, p = .019), which is reallocated mostly to standing (r = -0.719, p < .001). Sit-stand workstations improved perceived musculoskeletal comfort in the neck and shoulders (p = .028), as well as work ability (p = .022). The majority of intervention subjects rated sit-stand workstation adjustability as good (83.3%), and 75.0% were satisfied with the workstation. About 41.7% of the intervention participants, who were exclusively female, used the sit-stand function on a daily basis. While the environmental change alone was effective, it is likely that promoting the daily use of sit-stand workstations with counselling would lead to even more substantial positive effects.

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of workplace intervention strategies to reduce sedentary time in white‐collar workers

“…Out of 26 studies in total, 12 reported a significant reduction in workplace sitting . Among the remaining studies, nine reported sitting reductions, but the effects were not statistically significant ; in which two out of the nine reported borderline significant reductions .…”

“…The results of quality assessment are summarized in Table . Two studies were rated to be of ‘high quality’ , 10 of ‘good’ and 14 of ‘fair’ methodological quality . Main factors that affected the methodological quality included inadequate descriptions of group allocation, incomparable groups at baseline, final analysis not adjusted for baseline sedentary behaviour and outcome assessment not independent and blinded.…”

“…In the meta‐analysis as shown in Fig. , a total of 21 intervention studies were included . The pooled intervention effect showed a significant workplace sitting reduction of −39.6 min/8‐h workday (95% CI: −51.7, −27.5), favouring the intervention group.…”

“…All six studies focusing on environmental strategies in the systematic review reported significant reductions in workplace sitting ranging from −140.1 to −28.8 min/8‐h workday . Results from all six studies included in the meta‐analysis indicated reductions in workplace sitting of −72.8 min/8‐h workday (95% CI: −104.9, −40.6).…”

Office workers’ beliefs about reducing sitting time at work: a belief elicitation study

“…Nevertheless, two recent studies highlighted the benefits of environmental interventions designed to reduce sitting for subjectively assessed lower back pain (Foley, Engelen, Gale, Bauman, & Mackey, 2016), and neck and shoulder discomfort (Gao, Nevala, Cronin, & Finni, 2016). However, there is a need for further research to provide more robust evidence to support office worker's anecdotal beliefs about the acute and chronic musculoskeletal benefits of reduced sitting.…”