Move-It: A Cluster-Randomised Digital Worksite Exercise Intervention in China: Outcome and Process Evaluation

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Digital Health Interventions
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Sedentary office work is prevalent in China, contributing to health risks.
• Worksite interventions are crucial for promoting physical activity among office employees.
• Digital platforms offer scalable solutions for health promotion in organizational settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes and processes of a video and web-based worksite exercise intervention for sedentary office workers in China.
• To assess the impact of a Qigong-based digital intervention on physical activity, sitting time, and work performance.
• To examine the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM) of the intervention.

Main Methods:

• A 2-arm cluster-randomised wait-list control trial involving 282 office workers in China.
• Intervention group received a 12-week digital Qigong program (Move-It) delivered twice daily via video and web.
• Outcomes assessed included physical activity, weekday sitting hours, and self-reported work performance; process evaluation used the RE-AIM framework.

Main Results:

• Physical activity increased significantly in both intervention and control groups.
• The intervention group showed a significantly smaller increase in weekday sitting hours compared to controls (-4.66 h/week).
• Work performance increased only in the control group; the intervention demonstrated wide reach, good uptake, and successful implementation.

Conclusions:

• Video and web-based Qigong worksite exercise interventions can be effectively delivered to sedentary Chinese office workers.
• The intervention shows potential to increase physical activity and reduce sitting time without adverse effects on perceived work performance.
• Implementing health promotion in real-world organizational settings presents complexities that require careful consideration.