Abstract
ObjectiveTo 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.MethodsIn 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.ResultsIn 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.ConclusionNone 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).Trial RegistrationNederlands Trial Register NTR2553
Highlights
Over 22% of European Union employees suffer from stress at work on a daily basis and the annual economic costs of work-related stress in Europe was estimated at 20 billion Euro [1]
The intervention itself could be improved by increasing the intensity of the intervention, providing physical activity opportunities and exercise schemes, and by more drastic environment interventions
A previous study argued that fatigue can be placed on a continuum from mild to severe fatigue [6]
Summary
The protocol for this trial and supporting CONSORT checklist are available as S1 Checklist and S1 Protocol. Data were used from the Be Active & Relax ‘‘Vitality in Practice’’ (VIP) project (30) conducted at a financial service provider. In September 2011, 1.182 office employees of a financial service provider received an invitation for the Be Active & Relax ‘‘Vitality in Practice’’ (VIP) project. A total of 412 office employees (35% response rate) from 19 departments provided the informed consent, completed the baseline questionnaire and were included in the Be Active & Relax project. All respondents met the inclusion criterion of not being on sick leave for more than four weeks. The participants received follow-up questionnaires at 6 months and 12 months
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