A multicomponent intervention to reduce daily sitting time in office workers: the SMART Work & Life three-arm cluster...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health Interventions

Background:

• Prolonged sitting in office environments (70-85% of workday) is linked to adverse physiological and psychological health outcomes.
• Evidence highlights the necessity for robust, long-term randomized controlled trials to evaluate interventions aimed at reducing occupational sitting time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the SMART Work & Life intervention.
• To compare the intervention, with and without a height-adjustable workstation, against usual workplace practices over a 12-month period.

Main Methods:

• A three-arm cluster randomized controlled trial involving office workers in English councils.
• Intervention groups received either the SMART Work & Life program, the program with a height-adjustable desk, or served as a control (usual practice).
• Primary outcome was device-assessed daily sitting time at 12 months, with secondary measures including physical activity, health markers, and psychosocial variables.

Main Results:

• Both intervention groups significantly reduced daily sitting time compared to the control group (SMART Work & Life: 22.2 min/day reduction; SMART Work & Life plus desk: 63.7 min/day reduction).
• The addition of a height-adjustable desk led to a further significant reduction in sitting time compared to the intervention alone (41.7 min/day).
• Reductions in sitting time were primarily observed during work hours and were associated with increased standing time; minor improvements in stress and well-being were noted.

Conclusions:

• The SMART Work & Life intervention, particularly when combined with a height-adjustable workstation, effectively reduces sitting time among office workers.
• The intervention demonstrates potential for positive impacts on psychosocial well-being and is cost-effective, especially the 'SMART Work & Life only' option.