A Brief Self-Directed Intervention to Reduce Office Employees' Sedentary Behavior in a Flexible Workplace.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess changes in employees' sedentary behavior after a brief self-directed intervention in a flexible workplace.

METHODS: A total of 30 employees (69% female; 39.5 ± 9 years) completed an online questionnaire before and after a 6-week intervention. The intervention comprised one group-based action planning session, using a smart activity tracker for self-monitoring, weekly email reminders, and a healthy living seminar.

RESULTS: Total self-reported sitting time (including occupational and nonoccupational sitting) decreased nonsignificantly on days when working at the office (MΔ = -56 min/d, 95% confidence interval [CI], -128.5 to 17.0) and increased nonsignificantly when working at home (MΔ = 20.5 min/d, 95% CI, -64.5 to 105.5). The program had high acceptability in this participant group.

CONCLUSIONS: Brief self-directed interventions using activity tracker devices show promise and may be highly acceptable in a flexible workplace. Additional strategies may be needed to create change in sedentary behavior.