Impact of OT Intervention on Sedentary Behaviors Among Office Workers

PURPOSE: Due to the nature of their work, office workers spend extensive time engaged in prolonged sedentary behavior which has been associated with disease, increased risk for musculoskeletal disorders, and poor health outcomes. Research is needed to demonstrate the role of occupational therapy in reducing the adverse health outcomes and risk factors associated with sedentary office work. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of occupational therapy intervention on sedentary behavior and perceived health and well-being among office workers at a Midwestern university.

DESIGN: This study used a six-week, pre- and post-test design. Intervention focused on client-centered goals and ergonomic interventions. Participants included in this study were 18 years of age or older, English-speaking, independent during ambulation, university employees, and capable of signing informed consent. Individuals were not eligible to participate if they were attending formal occupational or physical therapy or had a medical condition or activity restriction.

METHOD: Perceived health and well-being were measured using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire, actigraphy technology, and self-reports of activity satisfaction. Individualized goals aimed at increasing physical activity, reducing sedentary behavior, or improving personal wellness and ergonomic recommendations and modification served as interventions. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25.0. Descriptive statistics were used to identify measures of central tendency and variance in scores. Mean differences from pretest to post-test were analyzed using a paired t-test, or Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test, to determine the impact of intervention on sedentary behavior and perceived health and well-being.

RESULTS: Seventeen participants completed the six-week study. Each participant received recommendations for ergonomic adaptations or equipment to improve the fit between the participant and their workstation. Mean sedentary time decreased by 12.5% overall. There was not a statistically significant difference in mean sedentary time during the weekday from pretest (M=10.47, SD=2.79) hours to post-test (M= 9.16, SD=3.82); t(16)=1.29, p = .217. Statistically significant increases were noted for the RAND SF-36 energy/fatigue and emotional well-being subscales, PSQI subjective sleep quality, and actigraphy measures of calories burned (p < 0.05). Additionally, a majority of participants met their goals to increase physical activity (n=11/16), reduce sedentary behavior (n= 8/11), and improve personal health (n= 3/4) and many participants indicated increased satisfaction with work activity levels (n= 8) as indicated by self-report scales.

CONCLUSION: Occupational therapy practitioners can assist office workers to create meaningful change in their health and well-being, especially in the areas of sleep, energy, emotional well-being, and activity levels, through ergonomic interventions and client-centered goals to reduce sedentary behaviors. The findings of this study demonstrate the positive impact of occupational therapy with this population; however, additional research is needed in this area to clearly demonstrate the role of occupational therapy as a cost-effective approach to workplace wellness initiatives.

IMPACT STATEMENT: Health promoting interventions aiming to support ergonomics of the work station and to structure productive time are needed to address the epidemic of sedentary time among office workers. Broader research is also needed to explore innovative methods, including the use of personal technology, as a tool to reduce sedentary behavior.

References

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Genin, P. M., Dessenne, P., Finaud, J., Pereira, B., Dutheil, F., Thivel, D., & Duclos, M. (2018). Effect of work-related sedentary time on overall health profile in active vs. inactive office workers. Frontiers in Public Health, 6, 279-279. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2018.00279

Parry, S., & Straker, L. (2013). The contribution of office work to sedentary behaviour associated risk. BMC Public Health, 13, 296-296. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-296

Waters, C. N., Ling, E. P., Chu, A. H. Y., Ng, S. H. X., Chia, A., Lim, Y. W., & Müller- Riemenschneider, F. (2016). Assessing and understanding sedentary behaviour in office-based working adults: A mixed-method approach. BMC Public Health, 16, 360-360. doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3023-z