Workplace interventions for increasing standing or walking for decreasing musculoskeletal symptoms in sedentary workers

In Japan, standing while working has not yet become commonplace, and there is little evidence to support the benefits of standing during the workday. Therefore, this study assessed the relationship between the introduction of a sit–stand desk and its ability to reduce the negative effects of sitting too long and increase employees’ general health and productivity. Seventy-four Japanese desk workers participated in this three-month intervention study. Using a randomized controlled trial, the participants were divided into intervention (n = 36) and control (n = 38) groups. The participant characteristics were ascertained using a questionnaire. The intervention effectiveness was assessed by measuring health-, physical activity-, and work-related outcomes. The results indicate that the intervention group significantly decreased their sitting time at work (p = 0.002) and had reduced neck and shoulder pain (p = 0.001). There was a significant increase in subjective health (p = 0.002), vitality in work-related engagement (p < 0.001), and self-rated work performance over a four-week period (p = 0.017). These findings indicate a significant difference between the two groups, demonstrating the effectiveness of a sit–stand desk in reducing sedentary behavior and improving workers’ health and productivity. Future research can accumulate further evidence of best practice use of sit–stand desks.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of a Workplace Sit–Stand Desk Intervention on Health and Productivity

et al. 2021

“…The plethora of health and performance issues associated with office work are likely to continue and expand in future work and workplaces [ 21 , 26 ]; thus, it is ever important to identify solutions to the challenges of mitigating risk and improving well-being within office work [ 27 ]. Environmental modifications such as sit-stand desks have been found to reduce sedentary work behavior in the short term, but no studies examining these modifications have demonstrated long-term effectiveness of reducing sedentary behavior [ 28 ] nor any effects in reducing pain-related disability in office workers [ 29 ]. Workplace wellness programs have also been developed to address health and performance issues; however, retention of positive change is difficult, and predictors of successful intervention are not yet well-understood [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Worker Perspectives on Incorporating Artificial Intelligence into Office Workspaces: Implications for the Future of Office Work

Fukumura

Gray

Lucas

et al. 2021

Workplace environments have a significant impact on worker performance, health, and well-being. With machine learning capabilities, artificial intelligence (AI) can be developed to automate individualized adjustments to work environments (e.g., lighting, temperature) and to facilitate healthier worker behaviors (e.g., posture). Worker perspectives on incorporating AI into office workspaces are largely unexplored. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore office workers’ views on including AI in their office workspace. Six focus group interviews with a total of 45 participants were conducted. Interview questions were designed to generate discussion on benefits, challenges, and pragmatic considerations for incorporating AI into office settings. Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using an iterative approach. Two primary constructs emerged. First, participants shared perspectives related to preferences and concerns regarding communication and interactions with the technology. Second, numerous conversations highlighted the dualistic nature of a system that collects large amounts of data; that is, the potential benefits for behavior change to improve health and the pitfalls of trust and privacy. Across both constructs, there was an overarching discussion related to the intersections of AI with the complexity of work performance. Numerous thoughts were shared relative to future AI solutions that could enhance the office workplace. This study’s findings indicate that the acceptability of AI in the workplace is complex and dependent upon the benefits outweighing the potential detriments. Office worker needs are complex and diverse, and AI systems should aim to accommodate individual needs.

“…Time spent in daily physical behaviors such as sitting, standing, and physical activity has profound physiological and psychological effects that may extend to the onset and progression of MSP [ 10 , 11 , 12 ] and the ability to remain at work [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Overall, very few studies have addressed physical behaviors at work in relation to sick leave specifically due to MSP [ 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sick leave due to MSP is of multifactorial origin and a variety of possible occupational determinants of future sick leave due to MSP have been identified-for example, high physical work demands and poor psychosocial working conditions [4][5][6][7][8][9]. Time spent in daily physical behaviors such as sitting, standing, and physical activity has profound physiological and psychological effects that may extend to the onset and progression of MSP [10][11][12] and the ability to remain at work [13][14][15][16]. Overall, very few studies have addressed physical behaviors at work in relation to sick leave specifically due to MSP [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Work-Time Compositions of Physical Behaviors and Trajectories of Sick Leave Due to Musculoskeletal Pain

Hallman

Gupta

Januário

et al. 2021

We aimed to investigate the association between work-time compositions of physical behavior and sick leave trajectories due to musculoskeletal pain over one year. We conducted a secondary analysis using the data of 981 workers in a Danish prospective cohort (DPHACTO 2012–2014). At baseline, we assessed physical behaviors (sitting, standing, light physical activity (LIPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)) at work and during leisure, using accelerometers. Over 1 year follow-up, workers reported sick-leave days due to musculoskeletal pain at 4-week intervals. Four distinct trajectories of sick leave were previously identified in this cohort (“no sick leave”, “few days—increasing trajectory”, “some days—decreasing trajectory”, “some days—increasing trajectory”), and used as an outcome in multinomial regression models with work-time compositions as predictors, adjusted for compositions of behavior during leisure, age, sex, body mass index, and smoking habits. More time spent sitting relative to the other behaviors was negatively associated with the trajectory of few days—increasing sick leave (p = 0.004), while time in LIPA was positively associated with the trajectory of some days—increasing sick leave (p = 0.009). Standing and MVPA were not significantly associated with sick leave trajectories. In conclusion, work-time compositions with more sitting relative to the other behaviors had lower risk for an increasing trajectory of sick leave due to pain, while compositions with more LIPA had higher risk. This may have implications for prevention of pain-related sick leave in blue-collar workers.