Workplace interventions for increasing physical activity in employees: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of workplace interventions for improving employee physical activity.
• This systematic review synthesizes findings from primary studies to evaluate intervention strategies and their impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and evaluate the strategies and effectiveness of workplace interventions aimed at increasing employees' physical activity.

Main Methods:

• Included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs published between 2009-2019 in English or Persian.
• Searched multiple databases (e.g., PubMed, Web of Science) and followed PRISMA guidelines.
• Assessed risk of bias using RoB and ROBINS-I tools.

Main Results:

• 39 studies (18,494 participants) met inclusion criteria; 22 RCTs and 17 non-RCTs.
• Effective interventions were identified in 15 RCTs and 14 non-RCTs.
• Key strategies included motivation, monitoring, education, and activity, utilizing 13 behavior change techniques (BCTs), with self-determination theory (SDT) being most common.

Conclusions:

• Multi-strategy interventions, including workplace physical activity (Activity) and behavioral change theories like SDT, appear most effective.
• Designing physical activity interventions should consider incorporating various behavior change techniques (BCTs).