Standing Desk Intervention for Sedentary Lifestyle

Overseen By Olga Theou, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Olga Theou

Disqualifiers: Hypertension, Cognitive impairment, Orthostatic hypotension, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

50 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This project will determine the short-term impact of a standing desk converter on: 1) objectively measured physical activity and posture levels, and 2) brain (cognition) and heart (blood pressure regulation) function. The main outcome is habitual activity patterns, assessed by the thigh-worn inclinometer (activPAL). All participants will be equipped with an activPAL and have their cardiovascular and cognitive function assessed at baseline and 4 weeks. Participants in the intervention group will use a standing desk converter for 4 weeks, while the wait-list control group will be encouraged to maintain their regular activity patterns. Researchers will compare the intervention and control groups to see if using the standing desk converter will increase standing time and lower sedentary time, improve cognition, and improve blood pressure regulation.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on physical activity and posture, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Standing Desk Converter for reducing sedentary behavior?

Research shows that using sit-stand desks can reduce the time people spend sitting at work, which is important because sitting too much is linked to health problems. These desks are particularly effective in changing sitting behaviors and reducing discomfort, although they have a smaller impact on overall health and work performance. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the standing desk intervention differ from other treatments for a sedentary lifestyle?

The standing desk intervention is unique because it directly targets the reduction of sitting time by allowing users to alternate between sitting and standing while working, which is not a feature of traditional treatments for sedentary lifestyles. Unlike other interventions that may focus on exercise or diet, this approach integrates movement into the workday, potentially improving posture and reducing discomfort without requiring additional time outside of work. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

Research Team

Myles W O'Brien, PhD

Principal Investigator

Department of Medicine and Department of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 who sit at a desk for more than 20 hours per week and don't already use a standing desk. They must be able to stand unassisted for at least 10 minutes, not be pregnant or planning pregnancy, have normal blood pressure and cognitive health, and no allergies to certain medical adhesives.

Inclusion Criteria

I have normal blood pressure, no cognitive issues, and I've never fainted while standing.

Not allergic to clear medical adhesive (TegadermTM, 3M) used to secure the activPAL activity monitors

I've used a seated desk for at least 20 hours a week in the past month.

Exclusion Criteria

I have fainted or felt dizzy when standing up.

Known allergy to the clear medical adhesive (TegadermTM, 3M)

I use a standing desk or work less than 20 hours a week at a seated desk.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants are equipped with activPAL monitors and undergo baseline assessments of cognition and cardiovascular function

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Intervention

Participants in the intervention group use a standing desk converter for 4 weeks, while the control group maintains regular activity patterns

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person) at week 4

Post-Intervention Assessment

Participants undergo post-intervention assessments of cognition and cardiovascular function, and return activPAL monitors

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any long-term effects of the intervention

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Standing Desk Converter

Trial Overview Researchers are testing if using a standing desk converter can increase physical activity levels, improve brain function (cognition), and regulate blood pressure better than usual seated work habits. Participants will either get the converter or continue their regular routine for comparison.

Participant Groups

Group I: Intervention Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Fitted with inclinometers/accelerometers at week 0 and week 4 of the intervention period for 7 consecutive days of wear. Measures of cognition and blood pressure regulation will occur at these same timepoints.

Group II: Wait-list Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Fitted with inclinometers/accelerometers at week 0 and week 4 of the intervention period for 7 consecutive days of wear. Measures of cognition and blood pressure regulation will occur at these same timepoints. Daily activities of participants will not be restricted if patients are assigned to the control group.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Olga Theou

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2

Recruited

100+

Findings from Research

The installation of sit-stand desks (SSDs) successfully reduced sitting time during the workday by 21%, allowing office workers to replace 8 hours of sitting with standing over a typical 40-hour work week.

Participants reported increased well-being and energy levels, along with decreased fatigue and appetite, indicating positive effects on mood and health without negatively impacting productivity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using sit-stand workstations to decrease sedentary time in office workers: a randomized crossover trial. Dutta, N., Koepp, GA., Stovitz, SD., et al.[2022]

The ACTIVE OFFICE trial is a 1-year randomized controlled study involving 18 healthy office workers in Austria, designed to evaluate the impact of two-desk sit-to-stand workstations on reducing sitting time and improving physical and cognitive performance.

If successful, the intervention could significantly reduce health risks associated with prolonged sitting in office environments, highlighting its potential for widespread implementation in workplaces.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of a novel two-desk sit-to-stand workplace (ACTIVE OFFICE) on sitting time, performance and physiological parameters: protocol for a randomized control trial. Schwartz, B., Kapellusch, JM., Schrempf, A., et al.[2018]

Height-adjustable workstations can effectively reduce sitting time among office workers, as shown in a review of five studies with a total of 172 participants, although the quality of these studies was assessed to be high risk of bias.

There is not enough evidence to determine the impact of these workstations on other health outcomes, such as body composition or mental health, indicating a need for larger and longer-term studies to better understand their overall benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Systematic review: height-adjustable workstations to reduce sedentary behaviour in office-based workers. Tew, GA., Posso, MC., Arundel, CE., et al.[2022]

The use of height-adjustable working desks (HAWDs) prompted by daily screen reminders led to a significant increase in standing time among office workers, with a 9% increase in weekly standing hours over 12 weeks, although this was not statistically significant.

Despite the increase in standing time, the study found no significant changes in concentration or neuromuscular performance, indicating that while prompts can encourage more standing, they may not directly improve other health outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Repetitive daily point of choice prompts and occupational sit-stand transfers, concentration and neuromuscular performance in office workers: an RCT. Donath, L., Faude, O., Schefer, Y., et al.[2022]

Sit-stand desks (SSDs) significantly change behaviors related to sitting and standing, with 61% of studies showing positive results in this area, but only mildly impact health outcomes overall.

SSDs are most effective in reducing discomfort (43% of studies showed significant results) but have the least effect on work performance, indicating that while they can help with comfort, they may not boost productivity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of sit-stand desks on office worker behavioral and health outcomes: A scoping review. Chambers, AJ., Robertson, MM., Baker, NA.[2019]

The study confirmed the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial on sit-stand desks, with 92% of surveyed office workers expressing interest in participation and 80% of workspaces able to accommodate the desks.

Using sit-stand desks significantly reduced workplace sitting time by an average of 94 minutes per day, although the effects on energy expenditure and cardio-metabolic outcomes remain unclear.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of sit-stand desks at work on energy expenditure, sitting time and cardio-metabolic risk factors: Multiphase feasibility study with randomised controlled component. Mantzari, E., Galloway, C., Wijndaele, K., et al.[2022]

In a study of 131 Swedish call center workers, those using sit-stand desks spent significantly less time seated (78.5% vs 83.8%) and took less time to reach 5 minutes of standing or walking (36.2 minutes vs 46.3 minutes) compared to those using traditional sit desks.

Despite the benefits of sit-stand desks in reducing sedentary behavior, awareness of ergonomic practices did not influence the patterns of sedentary behavior among users.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sit-stand desks in call centres: associations of use and ergonomics awareness with sedentary behavior. Straker, L., Abbott, RA., Heiden, M., et al.[2022]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using sit-stand workstations to decrease sedentary time in office workers: a randomized crossover trial. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of a novel two-desk sit-to-stand workplace (ACTIVE OFFICE) on sitting time, performance and physiological parameters: protocol for a randomized control trial. [2018]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Systematic review: height-adjustable workstations to reduce sedentary behaviour in office-based workers. [2022]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Repetitive daily point of choice prompts and occupational sit-stand transfers, concentration and neuromuscular performance in office workers: an RCT. [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of sit-stand desks on office worker behavioral and health outcomes: A scoping review. [2019]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of sit-stand desks at work on energy expenditure, sitting time and cardio-metabolic risk factors: Multiphase feasibility study with randomised controlled component. [2022]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sit-stand desks in call centres: associations of use and ergonomics awareness with sedentary behavior. [2022]