Garrett, Gregory Alan (2019-11). The Influence of Behavior-Based Computer Interventions on Utilization of Sit-to-Stand Desks and the Subsequent Impact on Productivity: a Longitudinal Study. Doctoral Dissertation. Thesis uri icon

abstract

  • Sedentary behavior has been recognized as a causal link to major health diseases such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and stroke. On average, working adults spend more than 90% of their time sedentary in their workplace which increases their susceptibility to these major disease processes. Interventions designed to illicit increased activity within the workplace, such as sit-to-stand desks, have been attempted in many instances but detriments to an individual's performance as well as sustained usage have been barriers to full adoption within the workplace. Two field studies were conducted to first, determine the impact of sit-to-stand usage on an individual's productivity and secondly, to understand the influence of computer-based prompting in modifying an individual's motivation to use sit-to-stand desks. The first study (call center) compared a productivity metric of 167 call center workers who were divided into an experimental (stand-capable workstation) group or a control (seated workstation) group. The productivity metric was collected continuously over a 6-month period and then compared by group and job category. Findings indicated that there was a 46% increase in productivity over the 6-month period for the experimental group versus the control group, suggesting that stand-capable desks are a likely contributor to increased productivity. The second study (Chevron) compared sit-to-stand desk usage of 200 office workers across 2 different geographic locations who had been assigned to one of two groups, experimental (received computer prompts) and control (no computer prompts). With computer software, all participant's daily standing transitions were objectively collected over a 6-week baseline period. Following the baseline period, the experimental group began receiving computer prompts for a 3-month continuously monitored period. Analysis of the resultant findings indicated a 229% increase in standing transitions over the 3-month prompting period for the experimental group, suggesting that computer prompting could be used to motivate employees to change their sit-to-stand usage behavior. When combining the results of the two studies, it is apparent that sit-to-stand desk usage has positive benefits within the areas of productivity and sedentary behavior reduction. Both areas are particularly relevant and important areas of concern and interest for industry leaders looking to increase productivity and reduce medical cost utilization within their workforce. These findings contribute to the ever-expanding knowledge base aimed at decreasing sedentary behavior by providing possible behavior change mechanisms to increase and sustain sit-to-stand desk usage.

publication date

  • November 2019