Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, USA
| [b] Department of Health and Human Development, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh, USA
| [c] Department of Epidemiology and Bioststiatics, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, USA
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Bethany Barone Gibbs, PhD, Department of Health and Human Development, University of Pittsburgh, 32 Oak Hill Court, Room 220 Pittsburgh, PA 15216, USA. Tel.: +1 412 383 4002; Fax: +1 412 383 4045; E-mail: bbarone@pitt.edu.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Research suggests reducing sedentary behavior improves low back pain; however, the impact on presenteeism, health, productivity, and sleep in desk workers with chronic low back pain is not known. OBJECTIVE:Evaluate the effect of a sedentary behavior intervention on multiple dimensions of workplace health. METHODS:24 participants with chronic low back pain and desk jobs were randomized to either a sedentary behavior reduction intervention group or control. Outcomes included a modified Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), the Stanford Presenteeism Scale (SPS), Profile of Mood States (POMS), Health and Work Questionnaire (HWQ), SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Six-month changes in outcomes were compared across intervention groups using ANCOVA regression, adjusting for baseline values. Cohen’s d effect sizes were calculated for outcomes to explain the magnitude of group differences. RESULTS:The intervention group reported 1.5 hours/day less sitting time (p < 0.001) compared to controls at 6 months. SF-36 subscales of energy/fatigue, social functioning, and pain improved, and sleep disturbance was reduced among intervention participants. Productivity, concentration, and presenteeism were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS:A sedentary behavior reduction intervention may improve well-being and workplace health without impacting productivity and concentration in desk workers with chronic low back pain.
Keywords: Sit-stand desk, sitting, disability
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205178
Journal: Work, vol. 71, no. 4, pp. 1145-1155, 2022
