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Cristi-Montero C, Martínez-Flores R, Espinoza-Puelles JP, Favero-Ramirez L, Zurita-Corvalan N, Cañete IC, Leppe J, Ferrari G, Sadarangani KP, Cancino-López J, Hernandez-Jaña S, Farias TY, Lemes VB, Rodríguez-Rodríguez F, Brand C. Study protocol and rationale of "the UP project": evaluating the effectiveness of active breaks on health indicators in desk-based workers. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1363015. [PMID: 38566792 PMCID: PMC10985339 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1363015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Excessive sedentary time has been negatively associated with several health outcomes, and physical activity alone does not seem to fully counteract these consequences. This panorama emphasizes the essential of sedentary time interruption programs. "The Up Project" seeks to assess the effectiveness of two interventions, one incorporating active breaks led by a professional and the other utilizing a computer application (self-led), of both equivalent duration and intensity. These interventions will be compared with a control group to evaluate their impact on physical activity levels, sedentary time, stress perception, occupational pain, and cardiometabolic risk factors among office workers. Methods This quasi-experimental study includes 60 desk-based workers from universities and educational institutes in Valparaiso, Chile, assigned to three groups: (a) booster breaks led by professionals, (b) computer prompts that are unled, and (c) a control group. The intervention protocol for both experimental groups will last 12 weeks (only weekdays). The following measurements will be performed at baseline and post-intervention: cardiometabolic risk based on body composition (fat mass, fat-free mass, and bone mass evaluated by DXA), waist circumference, blood pressure, resting heart rate, and handgrip strength. Physical activity and sedentary time will be self-reported and device-based assessed using accelerometry. Questionnaires will be used to determine the perception of stress and occupational pain. Discussion Governments worldwide are addressing health issues associated with sedentary behavior, particularly concerning individuals highly exposed to it, such as desk-based workers. Despite implementing certain strategies, there remains a noticeable gap in comprehensive research comparing diverse protocols. For instance, studies that contrast the outcomes of interventions led by professionals with those prompted by computers are scarce. This ongoing project is expected to contribute to evidence-based interventions targeting reduced perceived stress levels and enhancing desk-based employees' mental and physical well-being. The implications of these findings could have the capacity to lay the groundwork for future public health initiatives and government-funded programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cristi-Montero
- IRyS Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Ricardo Martínez-Flores
- IRyS Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | | | - Laura Favero-Ramirez
- IRyS Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Natalia Zurita-Corvalan
- IRyS Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Ignacio Castillo Cañete
- IRyS Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Jaime Leppe
- School of Physical Therapy Faculty of Medicine, Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gerson Ferrari
- Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Escuela de Ciencias de la Actividad Física, el Deporte y la Salud, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Kabir P. Sadarangani
- Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Salud Y Odontología, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge Cancino-López
- Laboratorio de Fisiología del Ejercicio y Metabolismo, Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Finis Terrae. Santiago, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sam Hernandez-Jaña
- IRyS Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | | | - Vanilson Batista Lemes
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Escola de Educação Física, Fisioterapia e Dança, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Caroline Brand
- IRyS Group, Physical Education School, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
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Taylor WC. Guidelines to conduct research in computer-prompt software studies to decrease sedentary behaviors and increase physical activity in the workplace. Work 2024; 77:123-131. [PMID: 37483046 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Computers are ubiquitous in the workplace and facilitate prolonged sitting, which has adverse health consequences. Various computer-prompt software programs are designed to decrease sedentary behaviors and increase physical activity in the workplace. However, specific guidelines that would improve research in this area have not been published. OBJECTIVE The objective of this article is to present recommendations for improving computer-prompt software research, to decrease sedentary behaviors and increase physical activity in the workplace. METHODS Ten domains were identified based on deficiencies in the current literature combined with quality assessment tools to reduce the risk for bias. The ten domains include composition of the research team, behavioral sciences theoretical frameworks, research design, alert types, outcome measures, confounding factors, intervention duration, carryover effects, racial/ethnic composition, and organizational culture. RESULTS Specific recommendations are presented for each domain. The research team should include all stakeholders contributing as copartners in designing the intervention. For theory, a systems science framework was presented. Clustered randomized controlled trials were recommended, rather than randomization at the individual level. Distinct types of alerts (visual, auditory, or both) and frequency of alerts (hourly, randomly generated, or based on prolonged sitting patterns) are described. Outcome measures include average duration of sitting bouts, longest sitting bout, and number of sitting bouts. CONCLUSION Prolonged sitting and physical inactivity at work lead to major health problems. Adherence to the recommendations presented here should facilitate high-quality research and improve the health of desk-based workers by decreasing sedentary behaviors and increasing physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendell C Taylor
- Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-1150, USA. E-mail:
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Armaou M, Araviaki E, Dutta S, Konstantinidis S, Blake H. Effectiveness of Digital Interventions for Deficit-Oriented and Asset-Oriented Psychological Outcomes in the Workplace: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2022; 12:1471-1497. [PMID: 36286087 PMCID: PMC9601105 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe12100102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital psychological interventions can target deficit-oriented and asset-oriented psychological outcomes in the workplace. This review examined: (a) the effectiveness of digital interventions for psychological well-being at work, (b) associations with workplace outcomes, and (c) associations between interventions' effectiveness and their theory-base. METHODS six electronic databases were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCT) and quasi-experimental studies. The methodological quality of studies that used randomisation was conducted with the "Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias" tool, while the "JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist" was used for non-randomised studies. Studies' theory-base was evaluated using an adaptation of the "theory coding scheme" (TSC). Due to heterogeneity, narrative synthesis was performed. RESULTS 51 studies were included in a synthesis describing four clusters of digital interventions: (a) cognitive behavioural therapy, (b) stress-management interventions and workplace well-being promotion, (c) meditation training and mindfulness-based interventions, and (d) self-help interventions. Studies demonstrated a high risk of contamination effects and high attrition bias. Theory-informed interventions demonstrated greater effectiveness. Cognitive behavioural therapy demonstrated the most robust evidence for reducing depression symptoms among healthy employees. With the exception of the Headspace application, there was weak evidence for meditation training apps, while relaxation training was a key component of effective stress-management interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Armaou
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK
| | | | - Snigdha Dutta
- Cambridge Centre for Teaching and Learning, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3PT, UK
| | | | - Holly Blake
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
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Hart DA. Learning From Human Responses to Deconditioning Environments: Improved Understanding of the "Use It or Lose It" Principle. Front Sports Act Living 2021; 3:685845. [PMID: 34927066 PMCID: PMC8677937 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2021.685845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Physical activity, mobility or patterned mobility (i.e., exercise) is intrinsic to the functioning of Homo sapiens, and required for maintenance of health. Thus, systems such as the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems appear to require constant reinforcement or conditioning to maintain integrity. Loss of conditioning or development of chronic deconditioning can have multiple consequences. The study of different types of deconditioning and their prevention or reversal can offer a number of clues to the regulation of these systems and point to how deconditioning poses risk for disease development and progression. From the study of deconditioning associated with spaceflight, a condition not predicted by evolution, prolonged bedrest, protracted sedentary behavior, as well as menopause and obesity and their consequences, provide a background to better understand human heterogeneity and how physical fitness may impact the risks for chronic conditions subsequent to the deconditioning. The effectiveness of optimized physical activity and exercise protocols likely depend on the nature of the deconditioning, the sex and genetics of the individual, whether one is addressing prevention of deconditioning-associated disease or disease-associated progression, and whether it is focused on acute or chronic deconditioning associated with different forms of deconditioning. While considerable research effort has gone into preventing deconditioning, the study of the process of deconditioning and its endpoints can provide clues to the regulation of the affected systems and their contributions to human heterogeneity that have been framed by the boundary conditions of Earth during evolution and the "use it or lose it" principle of regulation. Such information regarding heterogeneity that is elaborated by the study of deconditioning environments could enhance the effectiveness of individualized interventions to prevent deconditions or rescue those who have become deconditioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Hart
- Bone and Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Family Practice, Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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