Workplace pedometer interventions for increasing physical activity

Abstract

BackgroundThe World Health Organization and the World Economic Forum have recommended further research to strengthen current knowledge of workplace health programmes, particularly on effectiveness and using simple instruments. A pedometer is one such simple instrument that can be incorporated in workplace interventions. ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness of pedometer interventions in the workplace for increasing physical activity and improving subsequent health outcomes. Search methods Electronic searches of the CochraneCentral Register of Controlled Trials (671 potential papers), MEDLINE (1001), Embase (965), CINAHL (1262), OSH UPDATE databases (75) and Web of Science (1154) from the earliest record to between 30th January and 6th February 2012 yielded 3248 unique records. Reference lists of articles yielded an additional 34 papers. Contact with individuals and organisations did not produce any further records. Selection criteriaWe included individual and cluster-randomised controlled trials of workplace health promotion interventions with a pedometer component in employed adults. The primary outcome was physical activity and was part of the eligibility criteria. We considered subsequent health outcomes, including adverse effects, as secondary outcomes. Data collection and analysisTwo review authors undertook the screening of titles and abstracts and the full-text papers independently. Two review authors (RFP and MC) independently completed data extraction and risk of bias assessment. We contacted authors to obtain additional data and clarification.

The Effectiveness of an Annual Nationally Delivered Workplace Step Count Challenge on Changing Step Counts: Findings from Four Years of Delivery

“…However, it is notable that the increase of 906 steps per day falls short of the Step Count Challenge integrated goal setting target of increasing steps by 5000 steps on five days per week from week 1 by the end of the intervention. Further, these step changes are less than the daily step count change from baseline to end of intervention reported in review level evidence (+1900) [19], by the Global Corporate Challenge (+2149) [20], Stepathlon (+3519) [22], and a previous small-scale (n = 20) Step Count Challenge evaluation (+1487) [23]. These differences in the other studies may at least partially be explained by the inclusion of a true baseline measurement point in these other studies, which is not elevated by the commencement of the intervention.…”

“…Future research could consider how best to attract more men and low active participants to the intervention. Previous research suggests that longer term behavior change is minimal with workplace pedometer interventions [19], so further Step Count Challenge research that collects data beyond the eight weeks of the challenge would be useful to understand the potential longer term behavior change benefits of participation.…”

“…There is some indication that the most promising interventions are those that target walking [18], and incorporate self-monitoring and goal setting through a wearable device [17]. A recent review by Freak-Poli et al (2020) [19] focused exclusively on evaluating workplace pedometer interventions incorporating these promising intervention components. Findings from 14 RCTs suggested that there was evidence of increased physical activity at the end of the intervention.…”

PRISMA-S: an extension to the PRISMA statement for reporting literature searches in systematic reviews

“…“We included [search strategies] used in other systematic reviews for research design [ 111 ], setting [ 112 , 113 ], physical activity and healthy eating [ 114 – 116 ], obesity [ 111 ], tobacco use prevention [ 117 ], and alcohol misuse [ 118 ]. We also used a search [strategy] for intervention (implementation strategies) that had been employed in previous Cochrane Reviews [ 119 , 120 ], and which was originally developed based on common terms in implementation and dissemination research.” [ 121 ]…”

Measuring Productivity, Perceived Stress and Work Engagement of a Nationally Delivered Workplace Step Count Challenge

“…This one study on walking showed that a workplace walking intervention could positively influence work productivity in employees with low initial steps counts [21]. In a more recent review of workplace pedometer intervention by Freak-poli et al 2020, 14 studies were included with none measuring work-related outcomes [22]. When looking specifically at stress as an outcome of interest to workplaces, a review by Chu et al 2014.…”