Reducing sitting at work: process evaluation of the SMArT Work (Stand More At Work) intervention

Abstract

Background: Office-based workers accumulate high amounts of sitting time. Stand More At Work (SMArT Work) aimed to reduce occupational sitting time and a cluster randomised controlled trial demonstrated it was successful in achieving this aim. The purpose of this paper is to present the process evaluation of the SMArT Work intervention. Methods: Questionnaire data were collected from intervention participants at 6 months (n = 58) and 12 months (n = 55). Questionnaires sought feedback on the different components of the intervention (education, height-adjustable desk, Darma cushion, behaviour feedback, progress chats (coaching) with research team, action planning/goal setting diary) and experiences of evaluation measures. Control participants (n = 37) were asked via questionnaire at 12-month follow-up about the impact of the study on their behaviour and any lifestyle changes made during the study. Participants from both arms were invited to focus groups to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences on completion of 12-month follow-up. Results: Focus group and questionnaire data showed a positive attitude towards the height-adjustable workstation with a high proportion of participants using it every day (62%). Most participants (92%) felt the education seminar increased their awareness of the health consequences of too much sitting and motivated them to change their behaviour. Receiving feedback on their sitting time and support from the research team also encouraged behaviour change. The Darma cushion and action planning/goal setting diary were seen to be less helpful for behaviour change. Benefits experienced included fewer aches and pains, improved cognitive functioning, increased productivity, more energy and positive feelings about general health. Conclusions: Key elements of the programme identified as facilitating behaviour change were the educational seminar, the height-adjustable workstation, behavioural feedback and regular contact with research staff through regular progress chats.

The structured health intervention for truckers (SHIFT) cluster randomised controlled trial: a mixed methods process evaluation

“…These were followed by short feedback sessions where the results were explained to each participant. Although not part of the intervention, these health assessments did reportedly have an impact on awareness and knowledge about a healthy lifestyle in both groups, which is consistent with other research [ 17 ]. This was an unintended outcome of the study, which although did not lead to behavioural changes in control participants, did provide participants with a more holistic understanding of their current health status.…”

“…All participants were asked to complete questionnaires 1 month after the baseline health assessment and 1 month after the six-month follow-up health assessment, using a combination of multiple choice, open-ended, and Likert scale questions. At baseline, the questionnaires sought feedback about the baseline health assessment (although not part of the intervention, previous research has shown that being measured as part of the evaluation can have an impact on participants’ lifestyle [ 17 ]. The intervention follow-up questionnaire sought feedback about the quality, dose, and usefulness of each component of SHIFT (i.e., the education sessions, cab workout equipment, Fitbit, step challenges, text message feedback), and any other lifestyle or work changes that may have impacted the results.…”

Feasibility of Reducing and Breaking Up University Students' Sedentary Behaviour: Pilot Trial and Process Evaluation

“…Apart from physical health outcomes, however, future intervention developers should also consider the emerging evidence on sedentary behaviour and psychological outcomes (De Cocker et al, 2020). For example, standing seems to play a positive role in increasing alertness and boost productivity (Biddle et al, 2020), which is particularly relevant to University students.…”

Healthy Teleworking: Towards Personalized Exercise Recommendations

“…A systematic review reveals that people with more active jobs had lower all-cause or cardiovascular disease mortality risk than those with jobs that involved mostly sitting [26]. A large-scale prospective cohort study in 220,000 Australians published an association between sitting and all-cause mortality across sexes, age groups, body mass index and physical activity levels [27]. Despite knowing how harmful it is to our health, we spend most of our daily time sitting.…”

“…They are intended to contribute to weight control/loss through additional energy expenditure, relief and prevent musculoskeletal pain (acute and chronic), and improve cardiometabolic health (e.g., adjustable sit-stand desktops). Workplace interventions that promote standing breaks and sit-stand adjustable workstations show improvements in health markers and increase work productivity, efficiency and collaboration among employees [27,31,32]. Although stand-up working at the computer doubles the energy expenditure over the 8 h workday and is a good alternative [33], the focus of healthy computer working has been put on preventing spine-related health problems derived from erroneous sitting postures.…”