A cluster randomized controlled trial to reduce office workers' sitting time: effect on productivity outcomes

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Workplace Interventions
• Productivity Studies

Background:

• Prolonged workplace sitting is a growing concern impacting employee health and productivity.
• The Stand Up Victoria intervention was previously shown to effectively reduce sitting time in office environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the short- and longer-term effects of the Stand Up Victoria intervention on employee productivity.
• To assess the impact of a multicomponent intervention aimed at reducing workplace sitting on various productivity outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Cluster randomized controlled trial involving desk-based workers across 14 office worksites.
• Intervention included organizational, environmental, and individual strategies to decrease workplace sitting.
• Productivity was measured using the Health and Work Questionnaire (HWQ) and Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) at baseline, 3, and 12 months.

Main Results:

• At 12 months, significant improvements were observed in four Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) outcomes, including weighted total score, time, mental, and output demands.
• Trends for improvement were noted in non-work satisfaction and stress (HWQ) at 12 months.
• Significant improvements in WLQ mental demands were found at 3 months, with a worsening in physical demands at 12 months.

Conclusions:

• The Stand Up Victoria intervention demonstrates a positive impact on specific productivity measures in the longer term.
• Findings provide evidence supporting the business case for implementing workplace sitting-reduction strategies.
• The intervention's effects on productivity, particularly mental and output demands, highlight its potential benefits for organizations.