Interpersonal synchrony increases social cohesion, reduces work-related stress and prevents sickdays: a longitudinal field experiment

Abstract

This longitudinal field experiment examines synchrony to facilitate collaboration in organizations. Specifically, we tested if (1) the cohesion-enhancing effect of synchronous movement replicates in an organizational setting and (2) synchronous movement reduces stress on the level of the individual. Employees of a publishing company who underwent a physical exercise intervention that involved synchronous movement for 9 weeks were compared with a treated (asynchronous movement) and a nontreated control group (no movement). Data were obtained at three measurement points. Synchronous movement enhanced social closeness, reduced work-related stress and diminished sickdays immediately following the intervention. The longer-term effects were either smaller than the short-term effects or not discernible at all. As the synchrony intervention was short, simple, and well accepted among employees, it is a potentially useful component of workplace health or team development initiatives.