title: Effectiveness of a worksite social & physical environment intervention on need for recovery, physical activity and relaxation; results of a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effectiveness of a worksite social and physical environment intervention on need for recovery (i.e., early symptoms of work-related mental and physical fatigue), physical activity and relaxation. Also, the effectiveness of the separate interventions was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this 2 × 2 factorial design study, 412 office employees from a financial service provider participated. Participants were allocated to the combined social and physical intervention, to the social intervention only, to the physical intervention only or to the control group. The primary outcome measure was need for recovery. Secondary outcomes were work-related stress (i.e., exhaustion, detachment and relaxation), small breaks, physical activity (i.e., stair climbing, active commuting, sport activities, light/moderate/vigorous physical activity) and sedentary behavior. Outcomes were measured by questionnaires at baseline, 6 and 12 months follow-up. Multilevel analyses were performed to investigate the effects of the three interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all intervention groups, a non-significant reduction was found in need for recovery. In the combined intervention (n = 92), exhaustion and vigorous physical activities decreased significantly, and small breaks at work and active commuting increased significantly compared to the control group. The social intervention (n = 118) showed a significant reduction in exhaustion, sedentary behavior at work and a significant increase in small breaks at work and leisure activities. In the physical intervention (n = 96), stair climbing at work and active commuting significantly increased, and sedentary behavior at work decreased significantly compared to the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  None of the interventions was effective in improving the need for recovery. It is recommended to implement the social and physical intervention among a population with higher baseline values of need for recovery. Furthermore, the intervention itself could be improved by increasing the intensity of the intervention (for example weekly GMI-sessions), providing physical activity opportunities and exercise schemes, and by more drastic environment interventions (restructuring entire department floor).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Nederlands Trial Register NTR2553.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Body@Work TNO- VU University Medical Center, Research Center Physical Activity, Work and Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jennifer K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Coffeng
authors.affiliation: Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Body@Work TNO- VU University Medical Center, Research Center Physical Activity, Work and Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Cécile R L
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Boot
authors.affiliation: Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Saskia F A
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Duijts
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Health Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jos W R
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Twisk
authors.affiliation: Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO+ Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Body@Work TNO- VU University Medical Center, Research Center Physical Activity, Work and Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Willem
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van Mechelen
authors.affiliation: Body@Work TNO- VU University Medical Center, Research Center Physical Activity, Work and Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; TNO (Expert Center Life Style), Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ingrid J M
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Hendriksen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016138:Walking; D017132:Workplace