Point-of-choice prompts to reduce sitting time at work: a randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
Prolonged sitting is prevalent in the workplace and is associated with adverse health markers.


OBJECTIVE
Investigate the effects of point-of-choice (PoC) prompting software, on the computer used at work (PC), to reduce long uninterrupted sedentary periods and total sedentary time at work.


METHODS
Assessor-blinded, parallel group, active-controlled randomized trial.


METHODS
A convenience sample of office workers from Glasgow, United Kingdom. Data were collected April to June 2010, and analyzed October 2010 to June 2011.


METHODS
The education group (n=14) received a brief education session on the importance of reducing long sitting periods at work. The PoC group (n=14) received the same education along with prompting software on their PC for 5 workdays, which reminded them to stand up every 30 minutes.


METHODS
Sitting time was measured objectively using the activPAL™ activity monitor for 5 workdays at baseline and 5 workdays during the intervention. The number and time spent sitting in events >30 minutes' duration were the main outcome measures.


RESULTS
At baseline, participants spent 5.7±1.0 hours/day (76%±9%) of their time at work sitting. Of that time, 3.3±1.3 hours/day was spent sitting in 3.7±1.4 events >30 minutes. There was a significant difference between the groups in the change (intervention to baseline) of both the number (ANCOVA; -6.8%, p=0.014) and duration (-15.5%, p=0.007) of sitting events >30 minutes. During the intervention, compared with baseline, the PoC group reduced the number (paired t-test; -0.11 events/hour, p=0.045) and duration (-12.2%, p=0.035) of sitting events >30 minutes. However, there was no significant difference in total sitting time between groups (-4.4%, p=0.084).


CONCLUSIONS
Point-of-choice prompting software on work computers recommending taking a break from sitting plus education is superior to education alone in reducing long uninterrupted sedentary periods at work.


BACKGROUND
This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.govNCT01628861.
School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Rhian E
RE
Evans
Henrietta O
HO
Fawole
Stephanie A
SA
Sheriff
Philippa M
PM
Dall
P Margaret
PM
Grant
Cormac G
CG
Ryan
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D012606:Scotland; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012984:Software; D013997:Time Factors; D017132:Workplace