Cochrane · systematic review · CD010912
Workplace interventions for reducing sitting at work
Shrestha, N, Kukkonen‐Harjula, KT, Verbeek, JH, et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2018 · Cochrane Library
SoF tableOnly the outcomes this review put in its Summary of Findings table are listed (the Cochrane Handbook caps them at about seven per comparison). Its other analyses are not shown here.
Questions
15
current version
GRADE rated
11
No studies
4
Included studies
NR
No studies 4 · 26.7%Ungraded 0 · 0%Very low 3 · 20%Low 8 · 53.3%Moderate 0 · 0%High 0 · 0%
Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.
Questions and results
Current version onlyAlternative desks and workstations compared to sit‐desks for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Mean difference in time spent sitting at work, short‐term Alternative desks and workstations vs sit‐desks | no estimate extracted | 10 studies · 323 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Mean difference in time in sitting bouts lasting 30 minutes or more, short‐term Alternative desks and workstations vs sit‐desks | no estimate extracted | 74 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Mean difference in time in sitting bouts lasting 30 minutes or more, short‐term Alternative desks and workstations vs sit‐desks | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Mean difference in time spent in inactive sitting at work, medium‐term Alternative desks and workstations vs sit‐desks | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 54 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Workplace policy changes compared to no intervention or alternate intervention for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Mean difference in time spent sitting at work, short‐term Workplace policy changes vs no intervention or alternate intervention | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 179 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Mean difference in time in sitting bouts lasting 30 minutes or more, short‐term Workplace policy changes vs no intervention or alternate intervention | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Information, feedback, and/or counselling compared to information only or no intervention for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Mean difference in time spent sitting at work, short‐term Information, feedback, and/or counselling vs information only or no intervention | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 63 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Mean difference in time spent sitting at work, medium‐term Information, feedback, and/or counselling vs information only or no intervention | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 747 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Mean difference in time in sitting bouts lasting 30 minutes or more, short‐term Information, feedback, and/or counselling vs information only or no intervention | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Mean difference in time spent sitting at work, short‐term Information, feedback, and/or counselling vs information only or no intervention | no estimate extracted | 3 studies · 103 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Mean difference in time in sitting bouts lasting 30 minutes or more, short‐term Information, feedback, and/or counselling vs information only or no intervention | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 28 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Mean difference in time spent sitting at work, medium‐term Information, feedback, and/or counselling vs information only or no intervention | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 257 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Mean difference in time in sitting bouts lasting 30 minutes or more, medium‐term Information, feedback, and/or counselling vs information only or no intervention | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Multi‐component intervention compared to no intervention for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Mean difference in time spent sitting at work, short‐term Multi‐component intervention vs no intervention | no estimate extracted | 3 studies · 573 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Mean difference in time in sitting bouts lasting 30 minutes or more, short‐term Multi‐component intervention vs no intervention | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 518 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Alternative desks and workstations compared to sit‐desks for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Mean difference in time spent sitting at work, short‐term Alternative desks and workstations vs sit‐desks | no estimate extracted | 10 studies · 323 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Mean difference in time in sitting bouts lasting 30 minutes or more, short‐term Alternative desks and workstations vs sit‐desks | no estimate extracted | 74 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Mean difference in time in sitting bouts lasting 30 minutes or more, short‐term Alternative desks and workstations vs sit‐desks | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Mean difference in time spent in inactive sitting at work, medium‐term Alternative desks and workstations vs sit‐desks | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 54 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Workplace policy changes compared to no intervention or alternate intervention for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Mean difference in time spent sitting at work, short‐term Workplace policy changes vs no intervention or alternate intervention | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 179 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Mean difference in time in sitting bouts lasting 30 minutes or more, short‐term Workplace policy changes vs no intervention or alternate intervention | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Information, feedback, and/or counselling compared to information only or no intervention for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Mean difference in time spent sitting at work, short‐term Information, feedback, and/or counselling vs information only or no intervention | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 63 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Mean difference in time spent sitting at work, medium‐term Information, feedback, and/or counselling vs information only or no intervention | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 747 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Mean difference in time in sitting bouts lasting 30 minutes or more, short‐term Information, feedback, and/or counselling vs information only or no intervention | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Mean difference in time spent sitting at work, short‐term Information, feedback, and/or counselling vs information only or no intervention | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 75 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Mean difference in time in sitting bouts lasting 30 minutes or more, short‐term Information, feedback, and/or counselling vs information only or no intervention | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 28 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Mean difference in time spent sitting at work, medium‐term Information, feedback, and/or counselling vs information only or no intervention | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 257 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Mean difference in time in sitting bouts lasting 30 minutes or more, medium‐term Information, feedback, and/or counselling vs information only or no intervention | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Multi‐component intervention compared to no intervention for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Mean difference in time spent sitting at work, short‐term Multi‐component intervention vs no intervention | no estimate extracted | 3 studies · 573 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Mean difference in time in sitting bouts lasting 30 minutes or more, short‐term Multi‐component intervention vs no intervention | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 518 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Sit‐stand desks with or without counselling for reducing sitting at work: CBAs
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Time spent sitting at work /8‐hour workday Accelerometer‐inclinometer | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 61 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Work performance (1‐10 scale) Self‐reported | no estimate extracted | 3 studies · 109 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Time spent sitting at work /8‐hour workday Accelerometer‐inclinometer | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 45 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Sit‐stand desks for reducing sitting at work: RCTs
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Time spent sitting at work /8‐hour workday Accelerometer‐inclinometer | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 70 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Time spent sitting at work /8‐hour workday Self‐reported questionnaires | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 44 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Treadmill desks plus counselling for reducing sitting at work: RCT
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Time spent sitting at work /8‐hour workday Accelerometer‐inclinometer | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 31 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Cycling workstations + information and counselling compared to information and counselling alone for reducing sitting at work: RCT
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Time spent sitting at work /8‐hour workday Accelerometer‐inclinometer Cycling workstations + information and counselling vs information and counselling alone | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 54 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Walking strategies for reducing sitting at work: RCT
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Time spent sitting at work Log book | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 179 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Time spent sitting at work Self‐reported questionnaires | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 190 participants | Low Downgraded: imprecision |
Computer prompts + information compared to information alone for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Time spent sitting at work Accelerometer‐inclinometer Computer prompts + information vs information alone | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 59 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Time spent sitting at work Self‐reported Computer prompts + information vs information alone | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 34 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Counselling for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Time spent sitting at work Self‐reported questionnaires | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 747 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Mindfulness training for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Time spent sitting at work /day Self‐reported questionnaires | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 257 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Time spent sitting at work /day Self‐reported questionnaires | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 257 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Multiple interventions for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Time spent sitting at work Self‐reported questionnaires | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 294 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Time spent sitting at work Self‐reported questionnaires | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 294 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Time spent sitting at work /8‐hour workday Activity log and accelerometer‐inclinometer | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 25 participants | Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Sit‐stand desks with or without counselling for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Time spent sitting at work /8‐hour workday Accelerometer‐inclinometer | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 31 participants | Very low |
Work performance (1‐10 scale) self‐reported | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 32 participants | Very low |
Time spent sitting at work /8‐hour workday Accelerometer‐inclinometer | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 61 participants | Very low |
Work performance (1‐10 scale) Self reported | no estimate extracted | 3 studies · 109 participants | Very low |
Information and counselling plus sit‐stand desk compared to sit‐stand desk alone for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Time spent sitting at work /8‐hour workday Accelerometer‐inclinometer Information and counselling plus sit‐stand desk vs sit‐stand desk alone | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 26 participants | Very low |
Work performance (1‐10 scale) self‐reported Information and counselling plus sit‐stand desk vs sit‐stand desk alone | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 26 participants | Very low |
Walking strategies versus no intervention for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Time spent sitting at work Log book Walking strategies vs no intervention | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 179 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Computer prompt + information compared to information alone for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Time spent sitting at work Accelerometer‐inclinometer Computer prompt + information vs information alone | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 28 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Time spent sitting at work Self‐reported Computer prompt + information vs information alone | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 34 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision |
Counselling compared to usual care for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Time spent sitting at work /day self‐reported questionnaires Counselling vs usual care | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 396 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Mindfulness training versus no intervention for reducing sitting at work
Population: employees who sit at work
| Outcome | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Time spent sitting at work /day Self‐reported questionnaires Mindfulness training vs no intervention | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 257 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |
Time spent sitting at work /day Self‐reported questionnaires Mindfulness training vs no intervention | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 257 participants | Low Downgraded: risk of bias |