20 physicians will be given an activity monitoring accelerometer (GRUVE from MUVE, inc.) for 2 weeks prior to starting the study (without feedback) and will continue to have their activity monitored for the duration of the study. The accelerometer (monitors movement and accurately estimates physical activity energy expenditure). The physicians will be randomized to 12 weeks with accelerometer monitoring but no feedback or counseling (control) or to 12 weeks of accelerometer monitoring (experimental) with feedback about activity levels and 20 minute weekly counseling sessions on how to increase activity (including walking while working). In the 12 week period where physicians receive feedback and counseling, they will also be provided a walking workstation. The walking workstation (assembled by the investigators) has a computer keyboard, computer monitor and telephone attached to an exercise treadmill. This allows the user to walk at 1 mile per hour while dictating, typing, responding to e-mail, etc. The treadmill can be placed in an examining room if the physician wishes to use it while dictating notes or it can be placed in a separate office.
Those physicians assigned to monitoring only for the first 12 weeks will then receive monitoring plus feedback, counseling, and walking workstation use for the next 12 weeks. Those physicians assigned to feedback, counseling, and walking workstation use for the first 12 weeks will continue to receive accelerometer feedback but will no longer receive counseling or use a walking workstation for the subsequent 12 weeks.
Ten physicians will complete the above for the first 26 weeks of the study and 10 physicians will complete the above for the last 26 weeks of the study.
The time line of the study is as follows:
12 Wks Experimental → 12 Wks Control 10 MDs (Wk 1-26) → 2 wks Monitor 12 Wks control → 12 Wks Experimental
12 Wks Experimental → 12 Wks Control 10 MDs (Wk 27-52) → 2 wks Monitor 12 Wks control → 12 Wks Experimental
In summary, physicians use an accelerometer without feedback while in the control group. In the experimental group physicians receive three interventions: accelerometer with feedback, exercise counseling, and the use of a walking workstation (treadmill desk).
