Cochrane: Physical inactivity at work has increased in recent years throughout the world increasing the risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It is unclear whether interventions that aim to reduce sitting, such as desks at which you can work while standing up (sit-stand desks), are effective at reducing the amount of time spent sitting.
The purpose of this review
We wanted to find out whether interventions aimed at reducing sitting time at work are effective. We searched the literature up to 14 February 2014 to find randomised controlled trials and other controlled trials of interventions to reduce sitting at work.
What trials did the review find?
We found eight trials with a total of 1125 participants. Three trials evaluated the effect of sit-stand desks and two trials the effect of computer prompts. For walking strategies (for example, walking during breaks), information and counselling to sit less, and mindfulness training we found one trial each.
Effect of sit-stand desks
A sit-stand desk with or without information and counselling reduced sitting time with 113 minutes per workday, but the quality of the evidence is very low due to the small number of participants and a low quality research design.
Effect of walking during breaks
The introduction of walking during breaks in one study did not lead to a considerable decrease in sitting time.
Effect of information and counselling
Computer prompting software did not show a reduction of sitting time in one study while in another study it reduced sitting time with 55 minutes.
In one study counselling by an occupational physician compared to those who received 'usual care' decreased sitting time with 28 minutes and in another study mindfulness training did not have any effect on sitting at work.
Conclusions
We concluded that at present there is very low quality evidence that sit-stand desks can reduce sitting at work. However, the evidence for policy measures (such as walking breaks), or information and counselling is inconsistent. There is a need for high quality research to assess the effectiveness of different types of interventions. There are many trials being conducted at present and their results may change the conclusions of this research in the near future.
- See more at: http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD010912/OCCHEALTH_workplace-interventions-for-reducing-sitting-time-at-work#sthash.ea13xlyf.dpuf