StandUP UBC: Reducing Workplace Sitting

Study objectives: This study aims to provide a cost-effective solution to reducing sitting time during the workday, through provision of (1) low-cost cardboard standing desks ($20), and (2) simple behaviour change strategies (e.g., instruction on how to break up sitting time and information on the health consequences of doing so).

Background: Sedentary behaviour, defined as 'any waking behaviour characterised by an energy expenditure ≤1.5 metabolic equivalents while in a sitting, reclining, or lying posture', is a risk factor for poor health, independent of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). High levels of sedentary behaviour and excessive bouts of prolonged sitting is associated with increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

Sedentary behaviours are prevalent among Canadian adults, who often spend a large proportion of their waking hours sitting (e.g., work, commuting, watching TV), and office workers have been identified as one of the most sedentary occupational groups. Sedentary behaviour can be reduced by replacing sitting time with standing or light ambulation. In order to do so, it is vital to create an environment that makes sitting less likely and standing/moving easier. There is some evidence that introduction of sit-stand desks can reduce occupational sitting time within office environments ; however, there are cost barriers to the provision of these desks in work environments and few randomized control trials have demonstrated the long-term compliance and effectiveness of these desks on health- (e.g., weight, waist circumference, blood-derived biomarkers, musculoskeletal symptoms, fatigue) and work-related (e.g., work performance/productivity) outcomes. These are important factors that need to be considered and studied in further detail to quantify the benefit of sit-stand workstations.

Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of a low-cost intervention aimed at reducing workplace sitting time in office workers.

Primary objectives:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention at reducing daily occupational sitting time over 6 months.

Secondary objectives:

• To explore whether the intervention results in improvements in work engagement and productivity, and occupational fatigue.

Methods/Design: The intervention will be delivered and evaluated over a 6-month period. This study is a two-arm randomized waitlist-controlled trial with one intervention group and one control group. After eligibility assessment, individuals will be randomly allocated to either the intervention or the control arm. The experimental group participants will receive a low-cost cardboard standing desk converter in their regular office environment and behaviour change strategies to break up sitting time, while the control group participants will not encounter any change to their regular work environments or be provided with any behaviour change strategies.

Intervention for experimental group:

Each participant allocated to the experimental group will receive a low-cost, cardboard, fixed-height standing desk converter (https://oristand.co/) that will be placed in their regular office environment, along with their usual sitting desk. The participants will be instructed on how to use the fixed-height standing desk converter (herein referred to as standing desk) as a way to break up sitting time every 30 minutes. In addition, each participant will be provided with information about the health benefits of breaking up sitting time.

Waitlist Control group:

Control group participants will not encounter any changes to their regular office environment. They will be provided with the standing desk and behaviour change strategies 6-months post-intervention.

Inclusion criteria

• (1) individuals who are desk-based (>75% of seated working hours),
• (2) work at least three days a week using the same desk,
• (3) aged 18-64 years, and
• (4) have the capability of standing.

Exclusion criteria

• (1) individuals who are not predominantly desk-based (<75% seated working hours),
• (2) work less than three days a week in the same office, or will not be working for the full duration of the study (i.e., retirement, term-time only, maternity/extended leave),
• (3) self-report having severe musculoskeletal conditions which restrict them from standing,
• (4) already use a standing desk.
• (5) unable to read or understand English or provide full informed consent.