Sit-stand Desk for Diabetes Prevention

Overseen By

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Medical College of Wisconsin

Must not be taking: Diabetes medications, Insulin, Steroids

Disqualifiers: Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, Musculoskeletal disorders, Neuropathy, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 6 months

198 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether using a sit-stand desk at work can help individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes improve their health. The researchers aim to determine if standing for part of the workday can boost insulin sensitivity and enhance heart health without altering exercise habits. Participants will be divided into three groups: one with no desk changes, one standing for at least 2 hours a day, and another for at least 3 hours. Suitable candidates include those with a sedentary office job, a BMI of 25 or higher, and a risk for diabetes due to prediabetes or other factors. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative lifestyle changes that could enhance health.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are on diabetes medications or insulin, you are excluded from participating.

What prior data suggests that this sit-stand desk intervention is safe for diabetes prevention?

Research has shown that sit-stand desks are generally safe and easy to use. In a previous study, participants reported no major negative effects. Instead, they experienced benefits such as improved physical health and enhanced mental well-being. Another study found that using sit-stand desks reduced sitting time, which is linked to a lower risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

No major safety concerns or harmful side effects were reported with sit-stand desks. Most changes observed were positive, including improved focus at work and reduced fatigue. These desks are designed to help reduce sitting time, potentially improving health without requiring changes to exercise or diet habits. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about exploring sit-stand desks as a method for diabetes prevention because these desks offer a unique approach compared to traditional lifestyle interventions like medication or intensive exercise programs. Unlike typical treatments that often require significant lifestyle changes or medication adherence, sit-stand desks encourage increased physical activity in a simple and accessible way by allowing users to switch between sitting and standing throughout the workday. This method not only integrates seamlessly into a person's daily routine but also aims to reduce sedentary behavior, a known risk factor for diabetes, potentially leading to improved metabolic health with minimal disruption to daily life.

What evidence suggests that the sit-stand desk intervention is effective for diabetes prevention?

Research has shown that sit-stand desks can improve health by reducing sitting time. In one study, office workers who typically sit for long periods used a sit-stand desk for six months, resulting in a 23% improvement in insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Long-term use of these desks has also been linked to better blood vessel health and reduced signs of heart disease. Another study found that sit-stand desks helped decrease sitting time at work, which is important because less sitting is associated with better health. This trial will evaluate the effectiveness of sit-stand desks in preventing diabetes. Participants in the 2-Hour Group and 3-Hour Group will use sit-stand desks for at least 2 or 3 hours each workday, respectively, while the Control group will not receive a sit-stand desk. These findings suggest that using a sit-stand desk might help prevent diabetes, especially for those who stand more during the day. ^{3 4 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for sedentary workers at the Medical College of Wisconsin with a BMI over 25, who are at risk for type 2 diabetes due to factors like family history or prediabetes. Participants should not be currently using a standing desk, have no major cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, uncontrolled hypertension, or other specific health conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

I have a parent, sibling, or child with diabetes.

You are too heavy for your height.

Considered to be at risk for diabetes.

Exclusion Criteria

You have used tobacco in the last 12 months.

I have fainted or felt dizzy when standing up.

I have been diagnosed with heart failure or cardiomyopathy.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Objective assessments of activity levels and sedentary times using an accelerometer for 7 full days

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants are randomized into one of three groups: sit-stand desk intervention targeting 2 hours standing per day, sit-stand desk intervention targeting 3 hours standing per day, or control arm over 6 months

6 months

3 visits (in-person) at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in insulin sensitivity, metabolic and vascular health

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Sit-stand desk intervention

Trial Overview The study tests if sit-stand desks can improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic health in office workers at risk for diabetes. It randomly assigns participants to use the desk either 2 or 3 hours daily or to a control group without this intervention over six months while monitoring their activity levels.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Control Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects will not receive a sit/stand desk for the duration of the study and will be asked to follow their normal work day routine.

Group II: 2-Hour Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Sit-stand desk intervention group, subjects are asked to maintain the desk in the standing position at LEAST 2 hours each work day.

Group III: 3-Hour Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Sit-stand desk intervention group, subjects are asked to maintain the desk in the standing position at LEAST 3 hours each work day.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Medical College of Wisconsin

Lead Sponsor

Trials

645

Recruited

1,180,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

This study aims to assess whether providing office workers with education and adjustable sit-stand workstations can effectively reduce sedentary behavior, which is linked to poor metabolic health.

The trial will involve a randomized control design with three groups, measuring the primary outcome of average daily sedentary time using accelerometers, to determine the effectiveness of the interventions over a period from March to December 2013.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of ergonomic and education interventions to reduce occupational sitting in office-based university workers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Radas, A., Mackey, M., Leaver, A., et al.[2022]

Project STAND is a randomized controlled trial aimed at reducing sedentary behavior in younger adults (ages 18-40) at high risk for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), involving 178 participants split between intervention and control groups.

The primary outcome of the study is to measure the reduction in sedentary behavior over 12 months using accelerometers, with secondary outcomes including various health metrics like physical activity levels, glucose tolerance, and body weight, which will help inform future interventions for this high-risk population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Rationale and study design for a randomised controlled trial to reduce sedentary time in adults at risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: project stand (Sedentary Time ANd diabetes). Wilmot, EG., Davies, MJ., Edwardson, CL., et al.[2022]

Employees with long-term access to sit-stand desks sat significantly less and stood more during work hours compared to those with traditional sitting desks, indicating that sit-stand desks can effectively reduce sedentary behavior.

The study found inverse correlations between increased physical activity (like walking and standing) and improved cardiometabolic health markers, such as lower blood pressure and BMI, suggesting that using sit-stand desks may contribute to better overall health outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cross-sectional Examination of Long-term Access to Sit-Stand Desks in a Professional Office Setting. Carr, LJ., Swift, M., Ferrer, A., et al.[2022]

Standing while working increased energy expenditure by 7.5 kcal/h compared to sitting, suggesting that incorporating standing into the workday can help combat chronic diseases.

After 12 months of using height adjustable desks, workers' preference for sitting versus standing did not change, but their willingness to stand decreased, indicating that while standing is beneficial for energy expenditure, it may not be favored by workers over time.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Height-Adjustable Desks: Energy Expenditure, Liking, and Preference of Sitting and Standing. Roemmich, JN.[2018]

Over 50% of family medicine residents used adjustable sit-stand desks, reporting a median standing time of 55% and an average satisfaction rate of 71.4% over a 1.5-year period.

Residents who utilized the standing feature of the desks experienced increased satisfaction and improved physical self-care behaviors, suggesting that sit-stand desks can positively influence health habits in a sedentary work environment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sit-Stand Desks and Physical Self-care Behaviors in a Family Medicine Residency. McLachlan, ML., Schupack, KM., Curry, EN., et al.[2022]

The introduction of electric adjustable height desks (EAHD) significantly increased light physical activity among desk-based workers, as evidenced by a notable rise in step counts and self-reported activity levels (p < 0.001).

While the use of EAHD led to increased activity during work hours, the evidence for a positive impact on leisure time activity was limited, suggesting that while EAHD can reduce sitting time, its effects on overall physical activity outside of work may vary.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of introducing electric adjustable height desks in an office setting on workplace physical activity levels: A randomised control field trial. Pierce, J., Legg, S., Godfrey, JR., et al.[2019]

Only 16% of desk-based workers in Germany reported having a height-adjustable desk (HAD), and among those, only 50% used it regularly, indicating low adoption and usage rates.

The study found that having an HAD did not correlate with reduced sitting time during the workday; however, the perceived benefits of sitting less were linked to increased usage of HADs, suggesting that promoting awareness of these benefits could enhance regular use.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Who uses height-adjustable desks? - Sociodemographic, health-related, and psycho-social variables of regular users. Wallmann-Sperlich, B., Bipp, T., Bucksch, J., et al.[2020]

A five-month study involving 47 university staff members showed that using computer prompts significantly increased the frequency of desk position changes with adjustable sit-stand desks, from once every two workdays to once every workday.

The percentage of participants changing desk positions once or twice a day rose dramatically from 4% to 36% during the two-month intervention, indicating that digital reminders can effectively promote physical activity at work.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Smart Software Can Increase Sit-Stand Desk Transitions During Active Computer Use. Sharma, P., Pickens, A., Mehta, R., et al.[2020]

The I-STAND intervention effectively reduced sitting time by an average of 58 minutes per day in older adults with obesity over a 12-week period, compared to a control group.

Despite the reduction in sitting time, the I-STAND intervention did not lead to significant changes in secondary health outcomes such as fasting glucose, blood pressure, or weight.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing Sitting Time in Obese Older Adults: The I-STAND Randomized Controlled Trial. Rosenberg, DE., Anderson, ML., Renz, A., et al.[2023]

Citations

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Sit-stand Desk for Diabetes Prevention In our pilot study of 15 subjects with sedentary office jobs, 6 months of sit-stand desk use resulted in a 23% improvement in insulin resistance, most ...

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A systematic review of standing and treadmill desks in the ... Treadmill desks led to the greatest improvement in physiological outcomes including postprandial glucose, HDL cholesterol, and anthropometrics, while standing ...