Sedentary Behavior and Musculoskeletal Discomfort Are Reduced When Office Workers Trial an Activity-Based Work Environment. Issue 9 (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Foley, Bridget; Engelen, Lina; Gale, Joanne; Bauman, Adrian; Mackey, Martin
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 58:Issue 9(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000828
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an activity-based work (ABW) office environment on physical activity and sedentary behavior, work ability, and musculoskeletal discomfort. Methods: Eighty-eight office workers trialed ABW for 4 weeks. Accelerometer and self-reported outcomes were measured at baseline, end-intervention, and follow-up. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models. Results: Accelerometry measured sedentary time; sedentary breaks and step count did not significantly change from baseline to end-intervention ( P = 0.13, 0.09, 0.18, respectively). Self-reported sitting-time was 14% lower, with standing-time and walking 11% and 3% higher in ABW than baseline ( P < 0.01 for all). Low back pain was lower in ABW than baseline (odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 3.7). Work ability reduced from 8.4 to 7.8 points ( P < 0.01) at follow-up. Conclusions: ABW environment appears to reduce self-reported sedentary behavior and low back pain and increase standing time.