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A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial to Reduce Office Workers' Sitting Time: Effect on Activity Outcomes
Genevieve N Healy1, Elizabeth G Eakin, Neville Owen
11School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, AUSTRALIA; 2Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA; 3Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physiotherapy, Curtin University, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA; 4Work, Health and Wellbeing Unit, Centre for Population Health Research, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, AUSTRALIA; 5Deakin Health Economics, Centre for Population Health Research, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, AUSTRALIA; 6School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, AUSTRALIA; 7School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA; 8School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA; and 9Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA.
A workplace intervention significantly reduced sitting time for office workers at 3 and 12 months. This multicomponent program effectively lowered daily sitting duration long-term.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health Interventions
Background:
- Prolonged workplace sitting is linked to adverse health outcomes.
- Effective interventions are needed to reduce sedentary behavior in office environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the short-term and long-term effectiveness of a workplace intervention aimed at reducing sitting time.
- To compare the intervention's impact on activity outcomes against usual practice.
Main Methods:
- Cluster randomized controlled trial involving 231 desk-based office workers across 14 worksites.
- Intervention included organizational, environmental, and behavioral strategies to decrease sitting.
- Objective measurement of sitting, standing, and stepping using activPAL3 devices at baseline, 3, and 12 months.
Main Results:
- Workplace sitting time significantly reduced in the intervention group at 3 months (-99.1 min/workday) and 12 months (-45.4 min/workday) compared to controls.
- Intervention also improved time spent standing and reduced prolonged sitting bouts at work.
- No significant effects were observed on stepping time.
Conclusions:
- A multicomponent workplace intervention effectively reduced both workplace and overall daily sitting time.
- The intervention demonstrated sustained effectiveness in reducing sedentary behavior over 12 months.
