Can We Reduce Prolonged Sitting? Acceptability of a Tactile Vibration Prompt to Initiate Movement

Abstract

Observational evidence supports an association between sedentary behavior and increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Physical activity recommendations now advocate for all age groups to minimize time spent sitting. Functional intervention strategies to decrease prolonged sitting, tested in “real world” settings, are needed to provide specific public health guidelines (e.g. frequency and duration of breaks in sitting) for CVD reduction. PURPOSE: To examine the potential acceptability of a tactile vibration prompt (TVP) as an intervention to reduce prolonged sitting. METHODS: Thirteen healthy adults who self-reported sitting ≥7 hours/day typically in bouts ≥ 30 minutes wore a thigh-based accelerometer with a TVP feature (activPAL3) for seven days. The TVP was programmed to vibrate after 30 consecutive minutes of uninterrupted sitting during waking hours. Participants were asked to stand or walk for ≥ 1 minute in response to the TVP. Upon returning the device, participants completed a Likert-scale questionnaire assessing TVP protocol acceptability, embarrassment, and ease of responding. RESULTS: Participants found the TVP protocol easy to comply with (Mean±SD; 4.5±0.5, 100% agreed); mostly enjoyed it (3.8±0.9, 69.2% agreed); would be willing to follow a longer protocol (e.g. 3 months; 4.0±0.9, 76.9% agreed); and did not find it difficult to respond while at work (2.1±1.1, 69.2% disagreed) or home (2.2±0.7, 76.9% disagreed). Participants found the 1-minute standing/walking breaks in response to the TVP not to be ‘too long’ (2.3±0.9, 69.2% disagreed), but were mixed regarding frequency (every 30 minutes) being ‘too often’ (2.7±0.9, 46.2% disagreed). The device was generally not embarrassing when seen (1.9±0.8, 76.9% disagreed) or heard (2.0±0.8, 69.2% disagreed) by others. Participants generally found the TVP protocol easier to follow during weekdays (3.8±0.9, 76.9% agreed) and did not decrease work productivity (2.0±1.2, 69.2% disagreed). CONCLUSION: Subjective user experience will be a driving factor in the success of devices providing TVP-based sitting interruption. Our findings indicate that a TVP was generally accepted by most participants both at home and work, suggestive that a TVP-based intervention may be a viable methodology to ameliorate prolonged sitting behavior.