The Effectiveness of the DeskCycle in Reducing Sedentary Behavior Among Female Office Workers

Abstract

Sedentary behavior (SB) is prevalent health threat linked to various chronic diseases and premature death. With most time spent at work, SB in this environment can influence one’s lifestyle leading to increased risk. Reducing SB in the workplace using equipment such as the DeskCycle can prevent or improve clinical outcomes.

Facilitators and barriers to using a DeskCycle as a sedentary behavior intervention in the work environment

“…One possible explanation for the declines could be that by Phase II, DeskCycle users may have grown accustomed to their peers in Phase I using the cycle and were not as motivated considering participants were located in different buildings across campus, but some were in the same departments. This decline in interest aligned with the reduction in DeskCycle use after the first four weeks in each phase [ 23 ]. A mixed-methods study by Torbeyn et al also reported that participants overwhelmingly agreed to the positive experiences with the under desk bike, despite the reduction in time spent cycling over the study period [ 19 ].…”

“…This was a pre-post study within a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a crossover design [ 23 ]. As part of the RCT, participants were randomly assigned to use the DeskCycle in one of two sequential eight-week phases separated by a 7-week washout period.…”

“…At the start of each Phase, participants received a DeskCycle, user’s manual, setup toolkit, and study-developed handout containing instructions on resistance level, suggested usage patterns, distance reading, time tracking, and troubleshooting. Each participant was assigned a trained research assistant (RA) to serve as a point of contact to address any problems during the study period ( explained further in RCT publication [ 23 ] ). Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using a feasibility questionnaire from October 2017 to March 2018.…”

“…Feasibility and user experience were assessed using a modified questionnaire from a previous study [ 20 ] and DeskCycle use data uploaded daily by participants using an online form [ 23 ]. The form included two questions ‘Did you use the DeskCycle today?’ followed by ‘If no, what was the main reason for not using the DeskCycle?’ The study questionnaire that primarily assessed user experience included 13 of the original 23 questionnaire items from the previous study [ 20 ].…”

“…Feasibility and user experience were assessed using a modified questionnaire from a previous study [20] and DeskCycle use data uploaded daily by participants using an online form [23]. The form included two questions 'Did you use the DeskCycle today?'…”