Effects of a Workplace Sit–Stand Desk Intervention on Health and Productivity

Abstract

In Japan, standing while working has not yet become commonplace, and there is little evidence to support the benefits of standing during the workday. Therefore, this study assessed the relationship between the introduction of a sit–stand desk and its ability to reduce the negative effects of sitting too long and increase employees’ general health and productivity. Seventy-four Japanese desk workers participated in this three-month intervention study. Using a randomized controlled trial, the participants were divided into intervention (n = 36) and control (n = 38) groups. The participant characteristics were ascertained using a questionnaire. The intervention effectiveness was assessed by measuring health-, physical activity-, and work-related outcomes. The results indicate that the intervention group significantly decreased their sitting time at work (p = 0.002) and had reduced neck and shoulder pain (p = 0.001). There was a significant increase in subjective health (p = 0.002), vitality in work-related engagement (p < 0.001), and self-rated work performance over a four-week period (p = 0.017). These findings indicate a significant difference between the two groups, demonstrating the effectiveness of a sit–stand desk in reducing sedentary behavior and improving workers’ health and productivity. Future research can accumulate further evidence of best practice use of sit–stand desks.

Feasibility of Using Mobile Standing Desks to Address Sedentary Behavior in Flexible Work Environments

“…Similar findings have been found in qualitative research about traditional standing desks, where employees revealed that using a standing desk provided flexibility in movement and increased energy expenditure throughout the workday 30,31 . Like the perceptions of increased attention and productivity in our participants, quantitative findings from traditional standing desk-based interventions have shown improved subjective health and productivity outcomes after using a standing desk 32 . A comprehensive review of findings from previous qualitative research shows that participants frequently associate positive psychological and emotional changes with using a standing desk, including increased alertness and concentration for work tasks 33 .…”

“… 30 , 31 Like the perceptions of increased attention and productivity in our participants, quantitative findings from traditional standing desk-based interventions have shown improved subjective health and productivity outcomes after using a standing desk. 32 A comprehensive review of findings from previous qualitative research shows that participants frequently associate positive psychological and emotional changes with using a standing desk, including increased alertness and concentration for work tasks. 33 When promoting the use of mobile standing desks among workers in flexible or home-based work positions, researchers and practitioners may consider sharing positive effects of using the mobile standing desk such as mobility, increased productivity, and ease of use to encourage participation in their study and use of the device.…”

Accelerometer-Measured Physical Behavior and Cardiorespiratory Fitness as Indicators of Work Ability

“…Giurgiu et al [ 11 ] reported that a greater number of sit-to-stand transitions was positively associated with WA, whereas lack of sleep deviating from 8 h and SB bouts exceeding 20 min had negative associations with WA. Reducing SB during working hours has been found to have a beneficial effect on perceived health and neck and shoulder pain as well as on perceived vitality in work engagement and work performance [ 13 ].…”

Workers Standing Times with Use of Sit-Stand Desks and Social Influences: An Investigation of Two Months of Office Workers’ Sit-Stand Desks Utilization

“…A simple intervention of reminding office workers about the importance of proper office heath practices would have helped improve standing times. It was shown that the workers in a particular study that used an SSD integrated with an orientation and reminder system for four months presented a lower average of 239.2 (± 42.2) min/worktime than a control group with 262.4 (± 58.8) min/worktime (Ma et al, 2021).…”