Work

Improving Physical Activity and Body Composition in a Medical Workplace Using Brief Goal Setting

Year: 2019

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: Objective To evaluate the use of a wearable activity tracker and brief feedback in the workplace to motivate employees to improve activity. Patients and Methods A total of 135 adult participants were randomized to 1 of 3 groups: control group (blinded to their step activity), intervention group (received counseling based on their step count), or no step-tracking device group. Participants were recruited from June 27, 2016, through February 21, 2018. Results Most of the 135 participants were women (84%), with a mean ± SD age of 42.6±10.1 years. Most participants (96%) completed 11 of the 12 weeks of step counts. Comparing treatment groups at week 12 (end of treatment), the intervention group (vs the control group) had significantly more steps (644.8; P <.01), had an 11.1% increase in step count from baseline ( P <.01), was more likely to achieve goal (odds ratio=1.73; P =.02), increased distance traveled per week (0.46 miles; P <.01) and calories burned (90.6; P <.01), and had a decrease in some bioelectrical impedance measurements over time, including a greater loss in body fat mass (–0.90 kg; P =.01), percentage fat (–0.96; P <.01), and visceral fat level (–0.60; P <.01). Finally, the intervention group indicated significantly greater satisfaction with their assigned randomization (89% vs 77%; P =.01) and greater confidence in the effectiveness of their activity tracker ( P <.01). Conclusion Brief counseling accompanied by use of a step-counting device can improve workplace activity, which, in turn, can increase steps and decrease body fat, including visceral fat. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02794727

Source: Mayo Clinic Proceedings Innovations Quality & Outcomes

DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2019.07.002