MedPath

Stand Up Kansas: An Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behavior in the Home Work Environment

Not Applicable
Conditions
Stress
Behavior, Health
Cholesterolemia
Fatigue
Glucose, High Blood
Mood
Sedentary Behavior
Obesity
Hypertension
Interventions
Device: Desk Only
Behavioral: Program Only
Registration Number
NCT04641689
Lead Sponsor
Kansas State University
Brief Summary

This project will examine the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce sedentary behavior in Kansas State University employees who are primarily working from home. We will recruit 100 employees to participate. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four conditions: desk only, program only, desk + program, or waitlist control. The program will consist of strategies to reduce sitting and increase physical activity in the home environment. We will assess whether the intervention successfully elicits reductions in sitting among employees, as well as changes in cardiometabolic and work-related outcomes.

Detailed Description

For this project we will conduct a 12-week intervention that incorporates multiple strategies to reduce sedentary behavior among university employees who are primarily working from home. Participants will be recruited via campus networks.

Participants will attend an initial testing visit, during which anthropometric and health outcome data (blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol) will be collected. Following the testing visit, all participants will complete an activity log for the next 5 work days, and a subsample will wear an activPAL 4 device for 7 days. All participants will complete a series of questionnaires (measuring physical activity, fatigue, stress, productivity, mood, and diet) online.

After all baseline data have been collected, participants will be randomized to one of four conditions: desk only, program only, desk + program, or waitlist control. Those in the desk only and desk+program conditions will receive a height-adjustable desk. They will be asked to set up the desk at their home workstation and send a photo of the setup to our research team within one week. Those in the program only and control conditions will receive their height-adjustable desks after completing the post-intervention assessments. Participants assigned to the program only and desk+program conditions will have access to a website that includes a variety of resources for reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity in the home environment. The intervention program will be based on social cognitive theory and will be designed to promote self-efficacy, self-regulation, positive outcome expectations, and social and environmental support. Participants will complete weekly modules that include activities such as goal setting and self-monitoring, action and coping planning, group discussions, etc. The program will also provide suggestions for changes to the home work environment, access to virtual stretching and strengthening videos, examples of technology to prompt breaks, etc. Participants will also receive 2 small group coaching calls via Zoom (at 3 and 8 weeks) to assist them in setting goals for reducing sedentary behavior and overcoming barriers. Participants in the desk only and waitlist control groups will receive access to the program after completing the post-intervention assessments.

All measures will be repeated following the 12-week intervention.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria
  • Full-time employee (works >30 hours per week)
  • Sedentary job (>75% of workday seated)
  • Working primarily at home (>80% of typical week)
  • Able to safely engage in light intensity physical activity
  • No ambulatory limitations
Exclusion Criteria
  • Working <30 hours per week
  • Standing or physically active >25% of typical workday
  • Working on campus >20% of a typical week OR planning to resume work on campus in the next 3 months
  • Uncontrolled stage 2 (severe) hypertension without a medical release signed by a physician

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
FACTORIAL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Desk + ProgramProgram OnlyParticipants will receive a height-adjustable desk to use in their home work environment AND 12 weeks of online content to support reductions in sedentary behavior while working from home.
Program OnlyProgram OnlyParticipants will receive 12 weeks of online content to support reductions in sedentary behavior while working from home. Content will be based on social cognitive theory.
Desk + ProgramDesk OnlyParticipants will receive a height-adjustable desk to use in their home work environment AND 12 weeks of online content to support reductions in sedentary behavior while working from home.
Desk OnlyDesk OnlyParticipants will receive a height-adjustable desk to use in their home work environment.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in sedentary behavior during the workdayBaseline and 12 weeks

Measured via 5-day activity log

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in sitting, standing and steppingBaseline and 12 weeks

activPAL (subsample)

Change in physical activityBaseline and 12 weeks

International Physical Activity Questionnaire (long form)

Change in productivityBaseline and 12 weeks

Health and Work Questionnaire

Change in fatigueBaseline and 12 weeks

Fatigue Symptom Inventory

Change in dietBaseline and 12 weeks

Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants - Shortened Version

Change in cholesterolBaseline and 12 weeks

Total, HDL, and LDL; Blood sample obtained via finger stick

Change in stressBaseline and 12 weeks

Perceived Stress Scale (4-item)

Change in blood pressureBaseline and 12 weeks

Measured using automatic blood pressure cuff

Change in triglyceridesBaseline and 12 weeks

Blood sample obtained via finger stick

Change in waist circumferenceBaseline and 12 weeks

Measured to the nearest 0.5 cm

Change in weightBaseline and 12 weeks

Measured in kg

Change in moodBaseline and 12 weeks

Positive and Negative Affect Schedule

Change in fasting blood glucoseBaseline and 12 weeks

Blood sample obtained via finger stick

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Kansas State University

🇺🇸

Manhattan, Kansas, United States

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