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Stress and work performance responses to a multicomponent intervention for reducing and breaking up sitting in office workers: a cluster randomized controlled trial

  • Benjamin David Maylor
    ,
  • John Hough
    ,
  • Charlotte L. Edwardson
    ,
  • Julia Fruer
    ,
  • Daniel Paul Bailey
  • University of Leicester
    ,
  • Brunel University London
    ,
  • University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
    ,
  • Nottingham Trent University
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to explore the potential of a sitting reduction workplace intervention for improving stress and work performance. Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial evaluated an intervention to reduce and break up occupational sitting in 12 clusters ( n = 89 office workers) over 8 weeks. Outcomes were physiological stress (cortisol concentrations), perceived stress, and work performance. Results: Linear mixed model group × time interaction effects were nonsignificant. Exploratory analyses showed a trend, with a large effect, for lower cortisol concentrations over the day in the intervention group relative to controls at 8 weeks (-0.85; 95% confidence interval, -1.70 to 0.03 nmol·L -1 ; P = 0.06, d = 0.79). The intervention group had higher vigor and cognitive liveliness at 8 weeks relative to controls ( P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: This exploratory study suggests that there could be meaningful changes in physiological stress and work-related outcomes that should be investigated in future studies.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages e744-e751

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (Volume 65, Issue 12)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 01/12/2023

Publication status

Published - 01/12/2023

ISSN

1076-2752

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/626313
  • Scopus: 85178651541

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