Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 17, 2025

Measuring the Switch Cost of Smartphone Use While Walking
Published on: April 30, 2020
Using mixed-method feasibility studies to examine the impact of a mobile standing desk on undergraduates' sedentary
Marc S Moulin1, Harry Prapavessis2, Patricia Tucker3
1School of Health Studies, The University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Health Sciences, London, Ontario, Canada.
Objectives:
To understand experiences with and measure the effect of mobile standing desks (MSD) on undergraduates' sedentary time (ST).
Participants:
Two samples of full-time undergraduates in Fall 2018.
Methods:
Study 1 (n = 21): baseline average daily ST was measured via activPAL4TM inclinometers and the NIGHTLY-WEEK-U questionnaire for 7 days. Participants received a MSD for one week then intervention ST was calculated. Study 2 (n = 28): baseline ST was measured with an online NIGHTLY-WEEK-U questionnaire, participants received a MSD for one month, then intervention ST was calculated. Paired-sample t-tests assessed differences. Interviews/online questions explored experiences.
Results:
Study 1: objectively measured (p = .0045, d = .71) and self-report (p = .0005, d = .92) ST reduced significantly post-intervention. Study 2: ST reduced significantly post-intervention (p = < .0001, d = .98). Facilitators and barriers to desk usage were described.
Conclusions:
MSD were effective for reducing undergraduates' ST across one-week and one-month.

