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Morton S, Fitzsimons C, Sivaramakrishnan D, Jepson R, Niven A. "Are we working (too) comfortably?": a focus group study to understand sedentary behaviour when working at home and identify intervention strategies. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1516. [PMID: 38844904 PMCID: PMC11155077 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18892-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Covid-19 pandemic initiated an enduring shift in working patterns, with many employees now working at home (w@h). This shift has exacerbated existing high levels of occupational sedentary behaviour (SB) in office workers, which is a recognised risk to health and well-being. This study aimed to use the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model to better understand both employees' SB, and line managers behaviour to assist employees to reduce SB when w@h, and identify how employees can best be supported to reduce SB. METHODS Three online focus groups with employees aged 18-40 working in desk-based roles (e.g. administrative / sales / customer services) (n = 21), and three with line managers (n = 21) were conducted. The focus groups facilitated discussion regarding participants' current behaviour, what impacts it, and what could be done to reduce employee SB when w@h. The focus group data were thematically analysed guided by the COM-B framework to understand influences on behaviour, and to identify promising intervention strategies. RESULTS Most participants recognised that w@h had elevated employee occupational SB, and line managers reported the importance of supporting employees to manage their workload, and encouraging and modelling taking breaks. There were multiple influences on both employee and line manager behaviour with capability, opportunity and motivation all perceived as influential, although not equally. For example, a major theme related to the reduced physical opportunities for employees to reduce their SB when w@h, including blurred work-life boundaries. Changes in physical opportunities also made supporting employees challenging for line managers. Additionally, the w@h environment included unique social opportunities that negatively impacted the behaviour of both groups, including an expectation to always be present online, and social norms. A range of strategies for reducing SB when w@h at both individual and organisational level were suggested. CONCLUSIONS It was evident that SB when w@h is influenced by a range of factors, and therefore multi-component intervention strategies are likely to be most effective in reducing SB. Future intervention research is a priority to evaluate and refine strategies, and inform w@h guidance to protect both the short-term and long-term health consequences of elevated SB for those who continue to w@h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Morton
- Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 8AQ, UK
| | - Claire Fitzsimons
- Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 8AQ, UK
| | - Divya Sivaramakrishnan
- Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 8AQ, UK
| | - Ruth Jepson
- Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 8AQ, UK
| | - Ailsa Niven
- Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 8AQ, UK.
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Crane M, Cobbold A, Beck M, Nau T, Standen C, Rissel C, Smith BJ, Greaves S, Bellew W, Bauman A. Interventions Designed to Support Physical Activity and Disease Prevention for Working from Home: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:73. [PMID: 36612407 PMCID: PMC9819910 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Working from home (WfH) has public health implications including changes to physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB). We reviewed published and grey literature for interventions designed to support PA or reduce SB in WfH contexts. From 1355 published and grey literature documents since 2010, we screened 136 eligible documents and extracted ten intervention studies. Interventions designed specifically for WfH were limited and included structured exercise programs, infrastructure (e.g., sit-stand workstations), online behavioral and educational programs, health professional advice and peer support, activity trackers and reminder prompts. Evidence of interventions to improve PA and reduce SB in WfH contexts is emergent but lacking in variety and in utilization of local environments to promote good health. Evidence is needed on the adaptation of existing workplace interventions for home environments and exploration of opportunities to support PA through alternative interventions, such as urban planning and recreational strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Crane
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Alec Cobbold
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Matthew Beck
- Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, The University of Sydney Business School, The University of Sydney, Darlington, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Tracy Nau
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Christopher Standen
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Health Equity Research and Development Unit, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Chris Rissel
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Sturt Rd, Adelaide, SA 5024, Australia
| | - Ben J. Smith
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Western Sydney Local Health District, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Stephen Greaves
- Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, The University of Sydney Business School, The University of Sydney, Darlington, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - William Bellew
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Adrian Bauman
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Clark BK, Brakenridge CL, Healy GN. The Importance of Research on Occupational Sedentary Behaviour and Activity Right Now. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15816. [PMID: 36497891 PMCID: PMC9738861 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The workplace has been identified as a key setting for public health interventions to 'promote and maintain the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations' by the World Health Organisation [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwyn K. Clark
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, Australia
| | - Charlotte L. Brakenridge
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, Australia
| | - Genevieve N. Healy
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, Australia
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne 3004, Australia
- School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth 6845, Australia
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Effects of Sedentary Behavior Interventions on Mental Well-Being and Work Performance While Working from Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116401. [PMID: 35681986 PMCID: PMC9180109 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Sedentary behavior negatively impacts mental health, which can decrease employee productivity. Employee mental well-being and work performance may improve with sedentary reduction interventions, especially strategies that include environmental workplace modifications and behavior-changing strategies. However, such interventions have not been examined among employees working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the Stand Up Kansas program, 95 sedentary university employees working from home were randomized into one of four intervention arms: height-adjustable desk provision (Desk Only), online sedentary behavior modification program (Program Only), Desk + Program, or Control. The outcomes were measured at a baseline (November 2020) and following the 12-week intervention (February 2021). Employees reported mood (positive and negative affect), stress, fatigue (duration, interference with activities and severity) and work performance (irritability, focus, work satisfaction, non-work satisfaction and productivity) were measured using established self-report instruments. The effect sizes, by comparing the Control arm to the Desk + Program arm, revealed large improvements in mood (positive affect, d = 1.106). Moderate improvements were also seen in fatigue (duration, d = −0.533, and interference with activities, d = −0.648) and several aspects of work performance (focus, d = 0.702, work satisfaction, d = 0.751, and productivity, d = 0.572). Moderate effect sizes were also seen for positive affect (d = 0.566) and fatigue severity (d = 0.577) among the Program Only arm, whereas no noteworthy effect sizes were observed among the Desk Only arm. Combining an online sedentary behavior modification program with height-adjustable desk provisions appeared to positively affect mental well-being and work performance among remote employees.
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