The Relationship Between Working From Home and Physical Behavior: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep are crucial for human health.
• The rise of remote work environments necessitates understanding their impact on health behaviors.
• This review synthesizes evidence on the link between working from home and physical behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize existing research on the relationship between working from home and physical behavior.
• To identify trends and evidence gaps in the study of remote work's impact on physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep.

Main Methods:

• A systematic electronic search was conducted across Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed.
• Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts.
• Study quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool, and results were synthesized using an effect direction plot.

Main Results:

• Fifteen studies were identified, mostly examining only one aspect of physical behavior.
• Convincing evidence suggests a negative relationship between working from home and physical activity.
• Possible evidence indicates a positive relationship between working from home and sleep, with no clear link to sedentary behavior.

Conclusions:

• The field of remote work and physical behavior research faces significant methodological limitations.
• Future studies require robust designs, such as longitudinal studies, to accurately assess physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep.
• Device-based measures are recommended for comprehensive, co-dependent assessment of 24-hour physical behavior in remote workers.