Abstract
BackgroundLack of physical activity (PA) is a known risk factor for many health conditions. The workplace is a setting often used to promote activity and health. We investigated the effectiveness of an intervention on PA and productivity-related outcomes in an occupational setting.MethodsWe conducted a randomized controlled trial of 12 months duration with two 1:1 allocated parallel groups of insurance company employees. Eligibility criteria included permanent employment and absence of any condition that risked the participant’s health during PA. Subjects in the intervention group monitored their daily PA with an accelerometer, set goals, had access to an online service to help them track their activity levels, and received counseling via telephone or web messages for 12 months. The control group received the results of a fitness test and an information leaflet on PA at the beginning of the study. The intervention’s aim was to increase PA, improve work productivity, and decrease sickness absence. Primary outcomes were PA (measured as MET minutes per week), work productivity (quantity and quality of work; QQ index), and sickness absence (SA) days at 12 months. Participants were assigned to groups using block randomization with a computer-generated scheme. The study was not blinded.ResultsThere were 544 randomized participants, of which 521 were included in the analysis (64% female, mean age 43 years). At 12 months, there was no significant difference in physical activity levels between the intervention group (n = 264) and the control group (n = 257). The adjusted mean difference was −206 MET min/week [95% Bayesian credible interval −540 to 128; negative values favor control group]. There was also no significant difference in the QQ index (−0.5 [−4.4 to 3.3]) or SA days (0.0 [−1.2 to 0.9]). Of secondary outcomes, body weight (0.5 kg [0.0 to 1.0]) and percentage of body fat (0.6% [0.2% to 1.1%]) were slightly higher in the intervention group. An exploratory subgroup analysis revealed no subgroups in which the intervention affected physical activity. No adverse events were reported.ConclusionsThe intervention was not found effective, and this study does not provide support for the effectiveness of the workplace PA intervention used here.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00994565
Highlights
Lack of physical activity (PA) is a known risk factor for many health conditions
A total of 273 subjects were randomized into the intervention group, and 271 subjects were in the control group
During the 12-month trial, 23 employees retired, resigned, or left for maternity leave. They were removed from the intention-to-treat analysis, leaving 521 subjects: 264 were in the intervention group and 257 were in the control group
Summary
Lack of physical activity (PA) is a known risk factor for many health conditions. The workplace is a setting often used to promote activity and health. Employers bear the financial consequences of reduced productivity and absenteeism and cover employee healthcare costs in many countries. Employers may benefit financially from implementing health intervention programs that increase the physical activity levels of their employees. This statement is supported by a review conducted for the World Economic Forum and the WHO, which estimated that interventions promoting physical activity may yield healthcare cost savings of 2.5 to 4.5 dollars for every dollar spent, and absenteeism savings of 2.5 to 4.9 dollars for every dollar spent [11]. The occupational setting has been considered useful for primary prevention and health intervention efforts, as most adults spend a major part of the day at work [12]
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