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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04269070

WorkWell: Work-based Activity and Metabolic Health

This study will test whether a range of pre-clinical cardiometabolic biomarkers can be improved via regular intervals of standing and light-intensity physical activity in real-world office environments.

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Key information

Conditions

PreDiabetes Behavior Body Weight Diabetes Mellitus Endocrine System Diseases Glucose Metabolism Disorders Metabolic Diseases Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Prediabetic State Sedentary Behavior Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Arizona State University

Tempe, Arizona, 85281, United States

About this study

This pilot study is being conducted to determine whether a range of pre-clinical cardiometabolic biomarkers (measured via gut microbiome, blood draw) can be improved via regular intervals of standing and light-intensity physical activity (i.e., leisurely walking) in real-world office environments. This trial is meant to generate pilot data which will lead to additional clinical trials.

Primary Hypothesis: Increasing both standing and light-intensity physical activity will improve biomarkers of metabolic function, as measured by blood metabolites and differential abundance of gut microbiome composition, compared to a control condition of normal workplace behavior.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Women and men age 18 yrs and older
  • Holds a job where primary work activities are done seated
  • Has the space and ability to use a sit-to-stand workstation in their primary workspace
  • Works in an office setting or remotely for ≥ 4 days per week
  • Have a BMI ≥ 25.0 (≥23.0 for individuals of Asian descent)

Exclusion criteria

  • Currently taking diabetes medication
  • Taking any of the following medications or treatments:
  • Medication to control high blood pressure
  • Medication to treat high glucose
  • Blood thinners
  • Hormone replacement therapy (in the past 12 months)
  • Corticosteroids
  • High dose statins (Dr. Reaven, MD to adjudicate eligibility based on dosage)
  • 2nd generation antipsychotics
  • Current or previous foot or lower limb injuries
  • Current use of sit-stand workstation
  • Current smoker
  • Neuromuscular or cardiovascular disorders or other serious active medical issues, including deep vein thrombosis or respiratory issues
  • Has a physical impairment or musculoskeletal condition that will prevent the subject from standing or light-intensity walking for a maximum of 30 minutes
  • Has been advised to avoid prolonged periods of sitting or standing by a physician or other healthcare provider
  • History of inflammatory bowel or intestinal malabsorption conditions
  • Use of prebiotics, probiotics or antibiotics in the last 3 months
  • Serious food allergies or restrictions
  • Participants who will be travelling 3 or more days out of their typical week

Treatment and study plan

Standing condition

Behavioral

Participants will be asked to stand an additional 6 minutes per hour above their median standing time from the observed time in the usual behavior condition.

Light physical activity (LPA) condition

Behavioral

Participants will be asked to perform 6 additional minutes per hour above their median LPA time from the observed time in the usual behavior condition.

Usual behavior condition

Behavioral

Participants will be asked to perform their normal work activities in their normal work environment for one week. There will be no modifications to their work environment or instructions given of what activities to partake in. This period will be used to understand their normal standing and LPA behaviors to determine the personalized changes to their standing and LPA behaviors in the other conditions.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in 2-hour postprandial area-under-the-curve blood glucose at 2 weeks

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Participants will be asked to wear the Abbott Freestyle Libre continuous glucose monitor during the usual behavior condition (week 1) and both experimental conditions (weeks 2-3 and weeks 5-6). Research staff will insert the CGM sensor at the screening and study visits. The training for this insertion will be conducted by a registered research nurse. The CGM sensors have been designed and tested to be worn continuously for up to 14 days. Sensors will be placed and removed by trained research staff at appropriate time-points throughout the study. Postprandial period will follow a standardize lunch meal. Area-under-the-curve calculations will be based on 2 hours following delivery of this lunch meal.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in baseline workplace standing time at 2 weeks

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Participants will be asked to wear an activPAL accelerometer throughout the entire intervention period. Data from the devices will be downloaded at each study visit. The activPAL device is worn on the right thigh and is equipped with low energy Bluetooth and will communicate wirelessly with the provided smartphone application to provide feedback to the participant and compliance with the protocol. Workplace time will be assessed by a self-report log and activPAL time will be extracted based on these reports.

  2. Change in baseline workplace stepping time at 2 weeks

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Participants will be asked to wear an activPAL accelerometer throughout the entire intervention period. Data from the devices will be downloaded at each study visit. The activPAL device is worn on the right thigh and is equipped with low energy Bluetooth and will communicate wirelessly with the provided smartphone application to provide feedback to the participant and compliance with the protocol. Workplace time will be assessed by a self-report log and activPAL time will be extracted based on these reports.

Other outcomes

  1. Treatment acceptability/satisfaction

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Intervention acceptability questionnaire at the end of each condition will elicit each participant's perceived acceptability of the intervention.

  2. Change in fasting blood glucose at 2 weeks

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    After verifying fasting for 10-12 hours, a blood sample (about 15 ml, approximately 1 tablespoon) will be collected via venipuncture to measure markers of glucose. After withdrawal, blood will be centrifuged at 1,100 x g at 4°C for 20 minutes, and serum, plasma and erythrocytes will be aliquoted and stored at -80 degrees Celsius for subsequent analysis upon sample collection completion. Blood will be drawn by Arizona Biomedical Collaborative Laboratory clinical staff.

  3. Change in femoral artery reactivity at 2 weeks

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    Femoral Artery Flow Mediated Dilation (FAFMD) Endothelium-dependent dilation of the femoral artery will be measured using B-mode ultrasound (Terason uSmart 3300+™, Burlington MA) using guidelines set forth by the Brachial Artery Reactivity Task Force.

  4. Change in central aortic diastolic and systolic blood pressure at 2 weeks

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    All participants will lay down in a dimly lit room and have resting blood pressure measured using an automated blood pressure machine. Thereafter, an appropriately sized blood pressure cuff will be placed on the left arm and central and peripheral blood pressures will be assessed using the non-invasive SphygmoCor system.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Arizona State University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

WorkWell: A Pre-clinical Pilot Study of Increased Standing and Light-intensity Physical Activity in Prediabetic Sedentary Office Workers

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Feb 13, 2020
Registry last updated
May 10, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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