Experience of switching from a traditional sitting workstation to a sit-stand workstation in sedentary office workers

Abstract

Prolonged sedentary time (ST) is associated with adverse health outcomes, while decreasing ST improves health outcomes. The use of sit-stand desks (SSDs) in workplaces has been proposed as a means of reducing ST. The purpose of this study was to gain knowledge about participants' experience and perceptions of a workplace intervention involving the introduction of SSDs. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 28 study participants who used SSDs for 4 weeks. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the SSDs and 96% chose to use them permanently. Participants experienced greater energy and alertness at work and reported increased face-to-face interaction with coworkers. Lack of work-surface space was the most significant problem with the use of SSDs. There was no perception of decreased productivity or reduced workplace privacy among participants.

Reducing occupational sitting: Workers’ perspectives on participation in a multi-component intervention

“…musculoskeletal problems) during the trial as whole [17], participants in these qualitative interviews perceived that the increased workplace standing time had had positive impacts on alertness, concentration and energy, and for some, had relieved their musculoskeletal complaints. These observations are consistent with a growing body of research suggesting that workers perceive a range of health and well-being benefits from using a sit-stand workstation [15, 16, 20]. However, despite the potential for sit-stand workstations to be an effective health promoting strategy, previous studies have suggested that the workstations are viewed as an aid for addressing pre-existing musculoskeletal conditions, rather than for preventive health [21, 22].…”

“…However, evidence reviews have suggested that greater impacts on workplace sitting may be achieved if sit-stand workstations are implemented as part of a broader approach that addresses the multiple levels of influence on behaviour [5, 11, 12]. While previous qualitative studies have assessed workers’ perspectives of sit-stand workstations in isolation [13–16], there is limited knowledge about the feasibility and acceptability of incorporating them within a multi-component, participatory workplace intervention.…”

“…Previous qualitative research has generally evaluated perceptions of sit-stand workstations in isolation, trialled over a short time period (1 month or less) [13, 16]. These findings suggest that sit-stand workstations are considered to be acceptable and feasible, although issues associated with the design of certain models, and concerns about reduced audio and visual privacy with standing have been raised as potential barriers to their use [13, 15, 16].…”

“…These findings suggest that sit-stand workstations are considered to be acceptable and feasible, although issues associated with the design of certain models, and concerns about reduced audio and visual privacy with standing have been raised as potential barriers to their use [13, 15, 16]. There is a need to understand the longer-term feasibility and sustainability of a multi-component workplace intervention featuring sit-stand workstations, including the role of broader workplace culture and organisational factors in supporting reductions in sitting time.…”

I’m still standing: A longitudinal study on the effect of a default nudge

“…Initial studies on the placement of SSDs as an intervention to decrease sedentary behaviour have reported promising results (Alkhajah et al, 2012;Chu et al, 2016;Dutta, Walton, & Pereira, 2015). However, a closer look at SSD effectiveness studies reveals that placing SSDs led only to a reduction in sitting for a brief period (Dutta et al, 2015;Pronk et al, 2012). For example, an evaluation study in four different companies that placed SSDs found that 59.8% of the employees used their SSD at standing height only once a month or less.…”