Environmental Modifications and 2-Year Measured and Self-reported Stair-Use: A Worksite Randomized Trial

Abstract

Environmental modifications have been shown to increase short-term stair use, longer-term success is unclear. This study assessed the 2-year effectiveness of an environmental intervention promoting worksite stair use. We assessed stair use at work by means of self-reports and infrared beam counters (which send a safe and invisible beam of infrared light from one side of a stairwell to a reflector on the other side; when an individual uses the stairs, the infrared beam is disrupted and an instance of stair use is recorded) at six worksites (three intervention, three control) in a group randomized, controlled worksite weight-gain prevention trial in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. Intervention modifications were signs encouraging stair use, music, and art posters in stairwells. We collected data before environmental modifications (2006–2007) and at the end of the 2-year intervention (2008–2009). The intervention had a significant positive effect on stair use measured both objectively and via self-report, with greatest increases reported among those participants who used the stairs least at baseline. Following 2-years of continuously-maintained stairwell modifications, increases in both objectively-measured and self-reported stair use were significantly larger at intervention than control worksites. Study findings suggest that the positive impact of environmental modifications on stair use persist over a longer time period than has been previously demonstrated. Results also indicate that infrequent stair users may be most amenable to the behavior changes encouraged by these environmental enhancements.

Choice architecture interventions to change physical activity and sedentary behavior: a systematic review of effects on intention, behavior and health outcomes during and after intervention

“…For behavior, 67.6% of the interventions were effective (38, 40, 41, 43, 45-49, 52, 56-61, 65-70, 73, 75-84, 102, 109, 110, 112-120) 1 , 13.2% showed mixed effects [51,52,55,64,72,73,75,103] and 19.1% did not show an effect in presence of the intervention [43,45,56,63,65,66,89,95,101,105,109,111]. After removal of the intervention, 47.1% of the interventions showed a significant effect (40,43,45,47,49,58,61,67,77,82,86,97,110,118) 1 , 14.7% showed mixed effects [39,52,75,112,115] and 38.2% did not show an effect [43,49,69,73,81,90,93...…”

And She’s Buying a Stairway to Health: Signs and Participant Factors Influencing Stair Ascent at a Public Airport

“…For example, interventions have explored the use of natural modeling (Adams et al, 2006; Webb, Eves, & Smith, 2011); email-based encouragement messaging (Andersen et al, 2013); different types of mirrors to reflect varied self-images (Hodgin & Graham, 2016); aesthetic enhancements such as updated carpet, paint, artwork and music (Boutelle, Jeffery, Murray, & Schmitz, 2001; Graham, Linde, Cousins, & Jeffery, 2013; Kerr, Yore, Ham, & Dietz, 2004); and point-of-choice prompts such as signs, stair riser banners, and floor graphics placed at critical decision points (Soler et al, 2010). Point-of-choice prompts have successfully increased stair use across many settings (e.g., shopping malls, train stations), but relatively little is known about how they work in airports.…”

Does Worksite Culture of Health (CoH) Matter to Employees? Empirical Evidence Using Job-Related Metrics

“…22 Stair use promotion has resulted in increase stair use and physical activity. [23][24][25] There are, however, few studies on the impact of the overall strategy for creating a culture of health on metrics of job satisfaction and intention to leave the organization. This is an exceedingly important area as endeavoring to create an organizational culture that supports health represents a significant commitment on the part of the organization.…”