Evaluation of sit-stand workstations in an office setting: a randomised controlled trial Breaking up workplace sitting time with intermittent standing bouts improves fatigue and musculoskeletal discomfort in overweight/obese office workers Can a smart chair improve the sitting behavior of office workers? The Effect of an Ergonomic Intervention on Musculoskeletal, Psychosocial and Visual Strain of VDT Data Entry Work: The Polish Part of the International Study Comparisons of Musculoskeletal Complaints and Data Entry Between a Sitting and a Sit-Stand Workstation Paradigm A randomised controlled trial on whether a participatory ergonomics intervention could prevent musculoskeletal disorders Effect of a novel two-desk sit-to-stand workplace (ACTIVE OFFICE) on sitting time, performance and physiological parameters: protocol for a randomized control trial A randomised controlled trial of postural interventions for prevention of musculoskeletal symptoms among computer users Providing NHS staff with height-adjustable workstations and behaviour change strategies to reduce workplace sitting time: protocol for the Stand More AT (SMArT) Work cluster randomised controlled trial Effectiveness of the Stand More AT (SMArT) Work intervention: cluster randomised controlled trial The working postures among schoolchildren--a controlled intervention study on the effects of newly designed workstations. Office ergonomics training and a sit-stand workstation: effects on musculoskeletal and visual symptoms and performance of office workers. Evaluation of Two Preventive Interventions for Reducing Musculoskeletal Complaints in Operators of Video Display Terminals A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of Chair Yoga on Pain and Physical Function Among Community‐Dwelling Older Adults With Lower Extremity Osteoarthritis Reducing office workers’ sitting time: rationale and study design for the Stand Up Victoria cluster randomized trial Evaluation of ergonomic and education interventions to reduce occupational sitting in office-based university workers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial Chair-Sitting Exercise Intervention Does Not Improve Respiratory Muscle Function in Mechanically Ventilated Intensive Care Unit Patients
Background Excessive sitting time is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity independent of physical activity . This aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a sit-st and workstation on sitting time , and vascular , metabolic and musculoskeletal outcomes in office workers , and to investigate workstation acceptability and feasibility . Methods A two-arm , parallel-group , individually r and omised controlled trial was conducted in one organisation . Participants were asymptomatic full-time office workers aged ≥18 years . Each participant in the intervention arm had a sit-st and workstation installed on their workplace desk for 8 weeks . Participants in the control arm received no intervention . The primary outcome was workplace sitting time , assessed at 0 , 4 and 8 weeks by an ecological momentary assessment diary . Secondary behavioural , cardiometabolic and musculoskeletal outcomes were assessed . Acceptability and feasibility were assessed via question naire and interview . ANCOVA and magnitude-based inferences examined intervention effects relative to controls at 4 and 8 weeks . Participants and research ers were not blind to group allocation . Results Forty-seven participants were r and omised ( intervention n = 26 ; control n = 21 ) . Relative to the control group at 8 weeks , the intervention group had a beneficial decrease in sitting time ( −80.2 min/8-h workday ( 95 % CI = −129.0 , −31.4 ) ; p = 0.002 ) , increase in st and ing time ( 72.9 min/8-h workday ( 21.2 , 124.6 ) ; p = 0.007 ) and decrease in total cholesterol ( −0.40 mmol/L ( −0.79 , −0.003 ) ; p = 0.049 ) . No harmful changes in musculoskeletal discomfort/pain were observed relative to controls , and beneficial changes in flow-mediated dilation and diastolic blood pressure were observed . Most participants self-reported that the workstation was easy to use and their work-related productivity did not decrease when using the device . Factors that negatively influenced workstation use were workstation design , the social environment , work tasks and habits . ConclusionS hort-term use of a feasible sit-st and workstation reduced daily sitting time and led to beneficial improvements in cardiometabolic risk parameters in asymptomatic office workers . These findings imply that if the observed use of the sit-st and workstations continued over a longer duration , sit-st and workstations may have important ramifications for the prevention and reduction of cardiometabolic risk in a large proportion of the working population .Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov NCT02496507 Objectives To examine whether the introduction of intermittent st and ing bouts during the workday using a height-adjustable workstation can improve subjective levels of fatigue , musculoskeletal discomfort and work productivity relative to seated work . Methods Overweight/obese office workers ( n=23 ; age 48.2±7.9 years , body mass index 29.6±4 kg/m2 ) undertook two , 5-day experimental conditions in an equal , r and omised ( 1:1 ) order . In a simulated office environment , participants performed their usual occupational tasks for 8 h/day in a : seated work posture ( SIT condition ) ; or interchanging between a st and ing and seated work posture every 30 min using an electric , height-adjustable workstation ( ST AND -SIT condition ) . Self-administered question naires measuring fatigue , musculoskeletal discomfort and work productivity were performed on day 5 of each experimental condition . Results Participants ’ total fatigue score was significantly higher during the SIT condition ( mean 67.8 ( 95 % CI 58.8 to 76.7 ) ) compared with the ST AND -SIT condition ( 52.7 ( 43.8 to 61.5 ) ; p<0.001 ) . Lower back musculoskeletal discomfort was significantly reduced during the ST AND -SIT condition compared with the SIT condition ( 31.8 % reduction ; p=0.03 ) . Despite concentration/focus being significantly higher during the SIT condition ( p=0.006 ) , there was a trend towards improved overall work productivity in favour of the ST AND -SIT condition ( p=0.053 ) . Conclusions Transitioning from a seated to a st and ing work posture every 30 min across the workday , relative to seated work , led to a significant reduction in fatigue levels and lower back discomfort in overweight/obese office workers , while maintaining work productivity . Future investigations should be directed at underst and ing whether sustained use of height-adjustable workstations promote concentration and productivity at work . Trial Registration Number ACTRN12611000632998 Prolonged sitting can cause health problems and musculoskeletal discomfort . There is a need for objective and non-obstructive means of measuring sitting behavior . A ' smart ' office chair can monitor sitting behavior and provide tactile feedback , aim ing to improve sitting behavior . This study aim ed to investigate the effect of the feedback signal on sitting behavior and musculoskeletal discomfort . In a 12-week prospect i ve cohort study ( ABCB design ) among office workers ( n = 45 ) was measured sitting duration and posture , feedback signals and musculoskeletal discomfort . Between the study phases , small changes were observed in mean sitting duration , posture and discomfort . After turning off the feedback signal , a slight increase in sitting duration was observed ( 10 min , p = 0.04 ) , a slight decrease in optimally supported posture ( 2.8 % , p < 0.01 ) , and musculoskeletal discomfort ( 0.8 , p < 0.01 ) was observed . We conclude that the ' smart ' chair is able to monitor the sitting behavior , the feedback signal , however , led to small or insignificant changes A group of routine data entry operators ( female ) was included in the Polish MEPS ( musculoskeletal — eyestrain— psychosocial — stress ) study . Before the intervention , ergonomic assessment revealed improper working conditions such as inadequate lighting , uncomfortable chairs , and lack of forearm and wrist support while medical examination revealed that trapezius muscle load along with upper arm , head and back angles were higher than advisable . Subjects complained about neck and shoulder pain , visual problems , and psychosocial conditions . The ergonomic intervention included installation of new luminaires and Venetian blinds , new chairs , repair of ventilators , and optometric corrections . The results after the intervention showed mainly improvement in chair comfort , lighting conditions , visual strain , and sitting posture . However , financial limitations did not allow satisfactory completion of the intervention leading to a mixed interpretation of the results Background : Seated working positions are often regarded as a cause for discomfort in the musculoskeletal system . Performing work in different working positions — that is , alternating between sitting and st and ing ( sit-st and workstation paradigm)—could help reduce physical complaints . Objective : The questions were whether performing office work partly in a st and ing position leads to reduced complaints and whether st and ing would change the efficiency of data entry office work . Method : We investigated the effect of a sit-st and workstation paradigmd during experimental data entry office work on physical and psychological complaints and data entry efficiency by conducting a r and omized controlled trial with 60 male participants ages 18 to 35 years . Results : In this experiment , musculoskeletal complaints were reduced by a sit-st and workstation paradigm . A trend could be identified indicating a small but nonsignificant loss of efficiency in data entry while st and ing . Conclusion : A sit-st and workstation paradigm reduces musculoskeletal complaints without considerably affecting data entry efficiency under the presented study conditions ( young male participants , short duration , fixed and controlled sit-st and workstation paradigm , simulated experimental working condition ) . Application : According to the present data , implementing a sit-st and workstation paradigm can be an effective workplace health intervention to reduce musculoskeletal complaints . This experiment encourages further studies on the effectiveness of a sit-st and workstation paradigm . Experimental research and field studies that prove the reduction of complaints when introducing a sit-st and workstation paradigm in the workplace could be the basis for evidence -based recommendations regarding such interventions Objectives : To examine the efficacy of a participatory ergonomics intervention in preventing musculoskeletal disorders among kitchen workers .  Participatory ergonomics is commonly recommended to reduce musculoskeletal disorders , but evidence for its effectiveness is sparse . Methods : A cluster r and omised controlled trial among the 504 workers of 119 kitchens in Finl and was conducted during 2002–2005 . Kitchens were r and omised to an intervention ( n = 59 ) and control ( n = 60 ) group . The duration of the intervention that guided the workers to identify strenuous work tasks and to seek solutions for decreasing physical and mental workload , was 11 to 14 months . In total , 402 ergonomic changes were implemented . The main outcome measures were the occurrence of and trouble caused by musculoskeletal pain in seven anatomical sites , local fatigue after work , and sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders . Individual level data were collected by a question naire at baseline and every 3 months during the intervention and 1-year follow-up period . All response rates exceeded 92 % . Results : No systematic differences in any outcome variable were found between the intervention and control groups during the intervention or during the 1-year follow-up . Conclusions : The intervention did not reduce perceived physical work load and no evidence was found for the efficacy of the intervention in preventing musculoskeletal disorders among kitchen workers . It may be that a more comprehensive re design of work organisation and processes is needed , taking more account of workers ’ physical and mental re sources Background Prolonged sitting is ubiquitous in modern society and linked to several diseases . Height-adjustable desks are being used to decrease worksite based sitting time ( ST ) . Single-desk sit-to-st and workplaces exhibit small ST reduction potential and short-term loss in performance . The aim of this paper is to report the study design and methodology of an ACTIVE OFFICE trial . Design The study was a 1-year three-arm , r and omized controlled trial in 18 healthy Austrian office workers . Allocation was done via a regional health insurance , with data collection during Jan 2014 – March 2015 . Participants were allocated to either an intervention or control group . Intervention group subjects were provided with traditional or two-desk sit-to-st and workstations in either the first or the second half of the study , while control subjects did not experience any changes during the whole study duration .Sitting time and physical activity ( IPAQ-long ) , cognitive performance ( text editing task , Stroop-test , d2R test of attention ) , workload perception ( NASA-TLX ) and physiological parameters ( salivary cortisol , heartrate variability and body weight ) were measured pre- and post-intervention ( 23 weeks after baseline ) for intervention and control periods . Postural changes and sitting/st and ing time ( software logger ) were recorded at the workplace for the whole intervention period . Discussion This study evaluates the effects of a novel two-desk sit-to-st and workplace on sitting time , physical parameters and work performance of healthy office based workers . If the intervention proves effective , it has a great potential to be implemented in regular workplaces to reduce diseases related to prolonged sitting . Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov Identifier : NCT02825303 , July 2016 ( retrospectively registered ) Aims : To examine the effect of two workstation and postural interventions on the incidence of  musculoskeletal symptoms among computer users . Methods : R and omised controlled trial of two distinct workstation and postural interventions ( an alternate intervention and a conventional intervention ) among 376 persons using computer keyboards for more than 15 hours per week . The incidence of neck/shoulder symptoms and h and /arm symptoms during six months of follow up among individuals in the intervention groups was compared to the incidence in computer users who did not receive an intervention ( comparison group ) . For individuals in the intervention groups , study staff adjusted workstations , where possible , and trained individuals to assume the intervention postures . Individuals reported musculoskeletal symptoms in a weekly diary . Participants who reported discomfort intensity of 6 or greater on a 0–10 visual analogue scale or who reported musculoskeletal symptoms requiring use of analgesic medication were considered symptomatic . Results : There were no significant differences in the incidence of musculoskeletal symptoms among the three intervention groups . Twenty two ( 18.5 % ) participants in the alternate intervention group , 25 ( 20.2 % ) in the conventional intervention group , and 25 ( 21.7 % ) in the comparison group developed incident arm or h and symptoms . Thirty eight ( 33.3 % ) participants in the alternate intervention group , 36 ( 31.0 % ) in the conventional intervention group , and 33 ( 30.3 % ) in the comparison group developed incident neck or shoulder symptoms . Compliance with all components of the intervention was attained for only 25–38 % of individuals , due mainly to the inflexibility of workstation configurations . Conclusions : This study provides evidence that two specific workplace postural interventions are unlikely to reduce the risk of upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms among computer users Background High levels of sedentary behaviour ( i.e. , sitting ) are a risk factor for poor health . With high levels of sitting widespread in desk-based office workers , office workplaces are an appropriate setting for interventions aim ed at reducing sedentary behaviour . This paper describes the development processes and proposed intervention procedures of St and More AT ( SMArT ) Work , a multi-component r and omised control ( RCT ) trial which aims to reduce occupational sitting time in desk-based office workers within the National Health Service ( NHS ) . Methods / Design SMArT Work consists of 2 phases : 1 ) intervention development : The development of the SMArT Work intervention takes a community-based participatory research approach using the Behaviour Change Wheel . Focus groups will collect detailed information to gain a better underst and ing of the most appropriate strategies , to sit alongside the provision of height-adjustable workstations , at the environmental , organisational and individual level that support less occupational sitting . 2 ) intervention delivery and evaluation : The 12 month cluster RCT aims to reduce workplace sitting in the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust . Desk-based office workers ( n = 238 ) will be r and omised to control or intervention clusters , with the intervention group receiving height-adjustable workstations and supporting techniques based on the feedback received from the development phase . Data will be collected at four time points ; baseline , 3 , 6 and 12 months . The primary outcome is a reduction in sitting time , measured by the activPALTM micro at 12 months . Secondary outcomes include objective ly measured physical activity and a variety of work-related health and psycho-social measures . A process evaluation will also take place . Discussion This study will be the first long-term , evidence -based , multi-component cluster RCT aim ed at reducing occupational sitting within the NHS . This study will help form a better underst and ing and knowledge base of facilitators and barriers to creating a healthier work environment and contribute to health and wellbeing policy . Trial registration IS RCT N10967042 . Registered 2 February 2015 Abstract Objectives To evaluate the impact of a multicomponent intervention ( St and More AT ( SMArT ) Work ) design ed to reduce sitting time on short ( three months ) , medium ( six months ) , and longer term ( 12 months ) changes in occupational , daily , and prolonged sitting , st and ing , and physical activity , and physical , psychological , and work related health . Design Cluster two arm r and omised controlled trial . Setting National Health Service trust , Engl and . Participants 37 office clusters ( 146 participants ) of desk based workers : 19 clusters ( 77 participants ) were r and omised to the intervention and 18 ( 69 participants ) to control . Interventions The intervention group received a height adjustable workstation , a brief seminar with supporting leaflet , workstation instructions with sitting and st and ing targets , feedback on sitting and physical activity at three time points , posters , action planning and goal setting booklet , self monitoring and prompt tool , and coaching sessions ( month 1 and every three months thereafter ) . The control group continued with usual practice . Main outcome measures The primary outcome was occupational sitting time ( thigh worn accelerometer ) . Secondary outcomes were objective ly measured daily sitting , prolonged sitting ( ≥30 minutes ) , and st and ing time , physical activity , musculoskeletal problems , self reported work related health ( job performance , job satisfaction , work engagement , occupational fatigue , sickness presenteeism , and sickness absenteeism ) , cognitive function , and self reported psychological measures ( mood and affective states , quality of life ) assessed at 3 , 6 , and 12 months . Data were analysed using generalised estimating equation models , accounting for clustering . Results A significant difference between groups ( in favour of the intervention group ) was found in occupational sitting time at 12 months ( −83.28 min/workday , 95 % confidence interval −116.57 to −49.98 , P=0.001 ) . Differences between groups ( in favour of the intervention group compared with control ) were observed for occupational sitting time at three months ( −50.62 min/workday , −78.71 to −22.54 , P<0.001 ) and six months ( −64.40 min/workday , −97.31 to −31.50 , P<0.001 ) and daily sitting time at six months ( −59.32 min/day , −88.40 to −30.25 , P<0.001 ) and 12 months ( −82.39 min/day , −114.54 to −50.26 , P=0.001 ) . Group differences ( in favour of the intervention group compared with control ) were found for prolonged sitting time , st and ing time , job performance , work engagement , occupational fatigue , sickness presenteeism , daily anxiety , and quality of life . No differences were seen for sickness absenteeism . Conclusions SMArT Work successfully reduced sitting time over the short , medium , and longer term , and positive changes were observed in work related and psychological health . Trial registration Current Controlled Trials IS RCT N10967042 BACKGROUND School workstations are often inappropriate in not offering an optimal sitting posture . The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of individually adjustable saddle-type chairs with wheels and desks with comfort curve and arm support on schoolchildren 's working postures compared to conventional workstations . METHODS Ninety-seven participants aged 12 - 16 years were followed for 1 year , 47 at an intervention school and 50 at a control school .  Anthropometrics and workstation dimensions were measured and working postures analyzed for a part of each group ( n = 21 , both groups ) by means of video recording at baseline , before new workstations were introduced , and during follow-up . RESULTS There was a significant increase in upright back ( p= .012 ) and neck ( p= .019 ) postures in the intervention group compared to controls during follow-up . The saddle-type chairs allowed significantly greater trunk-thigh angles ( p < .001 ) among participants than conventional chairs . CONCLUSIONS In schoolchildren , using individually adjustable saddle-type chairs and desks with comfort curve , a better match between workstations and anthropometric dimensions and improved working postures are obtained than using conventional workstations Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ( WMSDs ) among office workers with intensive computer use is widespread and the prevalence of symptoms is growing . This r and omized controlled trial investigated the effects of an office ergonomics training combined with a sit-st and workstation on musculoskeletal and visual discomfort , behaviors and performance .  Participants performed a lab-based customer service job for 8 h per day , over 15 days and were assigned to :  Ergonomics Trained ( n = 11 ) or Minimally Trained ( n = 11 ) . The training consisted of : a 1.5-h interactive instruction , a sit/st and practice period , and ergonomic reminders . Ergonomics Trained participants experienced minimal musculoskeletal and visual discomfort across the 15 days , varied their postures , with significantly higher performance compared to the Minimally Trained group who had a significantly higher number of symptoms , suggesting that training plays a critical role . The ability to mitigate symptoms , change behaviors and enhance performance through training combined with a sit-st and workstation has implication s for preventing discomforts in office workers Background and Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a preventive ergonomic intervention , which was provided by physical therapists , on spinal and upper-extremity work-related posture and symptom complaints of workers who use video display terminals ( VDT ) . Subjects Two hundred employees who spent at least 20 hours per week at a VDT were r and omly divided into 2 groups . Group E received the ergonomic intervention and an informative brochure , and group I received only the brochure . Methods Both groups were evaluated at the beginning of the study and at a follow-up 5 months later . The following tools were used : a pain drawing and the Rapid Entire Body Assessment ( REBA ) method to assess spinal and upper-extremity work-related posture . Results Group E had a lower REBA score and reduced lower back , neck , and shoulder symptoms compared with group I. Discussion and Conclusion The results suggest that a personalized preventive ergonomic intervention can improve spinal and upper-extremity work-related posture and musculoskeletal symptoms for workers who use VDTs OBJECTIVES To determine effects of Sit ' N ' Fit Chair Yoga , compared to a Health Education program ( HEP ) , on pain and physical function in older adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis ( OA ) who could not participate in st and ing exercise . DESIGN Two-arm r and omized controlled trial . SETTING One HUD senior housing facility and one day senior center in south Florida . PARTICIPANTS Community-dwelling older adults ( N = 131 ) were r and omly assigned to chair yoga  ( n = 66 ) or HEP ( n = 65 ) . Thirteen dropped after assignment but prior to the intervention ; six dropped during the intervention ; 106 of 112 completed at least 12 of 16 sessions ( 95 % retention rate ) . INTERVENTIONS Participants attended either chair yoga or HEP . Both interventions consisted of twice-weekly 45-minute sessions for 8 weeks . MEASUREMENTS Primary : pain , pain interference ; secondary : balance , gait speed , fatigue , functional ability measured at baseline , after 4 weeks of intervention , at the end of the 8-week intervention , and post-intervention ( 1 and 3 months ) . RESULTS The chair yoga group showed greater reduction in pain interference during the intervention ( P = .01 ) , sustained through 3 months ( P = .022 ) . WOMAC pain ( P = .048 ) , gait speed ( P = .024 ) , and fatigue ( P = .037 ) were improved in the yoga group during the intervention ( P = .048 ) but improvements were not sustained post intervention . Chair yoga had no effect on balance . CONCLUSION An 8-week chair yoga program was associated with reduction in pain , pain interference , and fatigue , and improvement in gait speed , but only the effects on pain interference were sustained 3 months post intervention . Chair yoga should be further explored as a nonpharmacologic intervention for older people with OA in the lower extremities . TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Trials.gov : NCT02113410 Background Excessive time spent in sedentary behaviours ( sitting or lying with low energy expenditure ) is associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes , cardiovascular disease and some cancers . Desk-based office workers typically accumulate high amounts of daily sitting time , often in prolonged unbroken bouts . The St and Up Victoria study aims to determine whether a 3-month multi-component intervention in the office setting reduces workplace sitting , particularly prolonged , unbroken sitting time , and results in improvements in cardio-metabolic biomarkers and work-related outcomes , compared to usual practice . Methods / Design A two-arm cluster-r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) , with worksites as the unit of r and omization , will be conducted in 16 worksites located in Victoria , Australia . Work units from one organisation ( Department of Human Services , Australian Government ) will be allocated to either the multi-component intervention ( organisational , environmental [ height-adjustable workstations ] , and individual behavioural strategies ) or to a usual practice control group . The recruitment target is 160 participants ( office-based workers aged 18–65 years and working at least 0.6 full time equivalent ) per arm . At each assessment ( 0- [ baseline ] , 3- [ post intervention ] , and 12-months [ follow-up ] ) , objective measurement via the activPAL3 activity monitor will be used to assess workplace : sitting time ( primary outcome ) ; prolonged sitting time ( sitting time accrued in bouts of ≥30 minutes ) ; st and ing time ; sit-to-st and transitions ; and , moving time . Additional outcomes assessed will include : non-workplace activity ; cardio-metabolic biomarkers and health indicators ( including fasting glucose , lipids and insulin ; anthropometric measures ; blood pressure ; and , musculoskeletal symptoms ) ; and , work-related outcomes ( presenteeism , absenteeism , productivity , work performance ) . Incremental cost-effectiveness and identification of both workplace and individual-level mediators and moderators of change will also be evaluated . Discussion St and Up Victoria will be the first cluster- RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-component intervention aim ed at reducing prolonged workplace sitting in office workers . Strengths include the objective measurement of activity and assessment of the intervention on markers of cardio-metabolic health . Health- and work-related benefits , as well as the cost-effectiveness of the intervention , will help to inform future occupational practice .Trial registration Background Prolonged sitting is a specific occupational hazard in office workers . There is growing evidence that prolonged sitting is detrimental to metabolic health . The aim of this study is to determine whether providing  office workers with education along with adjustable sit-st and workstations leads to reduction in sitting behavior . Methods / Design A r and omized control trial ( RCT ) with three groups ( one control group and two intervention groups ) will be conducted in an office workplace setting . The education intervention group will receive an education package that encourages reduction in sitting behaviors . The sit-st and desk intervention group will receive the same education package along with an adjustable sit-st and desk . Participants will be included in the study if they are currently employed in a full-time academic or administrative role that involves greater than 15 hours per week or greater than 4 hours per day computer-based work . Baseline data will include participant ’s age , gender , weight , height , smoking habit , employment position , level of education , and baseline self-reported leisure time physical activity . The primary outcome is the average daily sedentary time during work hours , measured by an accelerometer . Participant recruitment commenced in March 2013 and will be completed by December 2013 . Discussion This study will determine whether providing office workers with an adjustable sit-st and desk and individually targeted education , or education alone , is more effective in decreasing sitting behaviors than no intervention . Trial registration Australian New Zeal and Clinical Trials Registry : BACKGROUND : Chair-sitting may allow for more readily activated scalene , sternocleidomastoid , and parasternal intercostal muscles , and may raise and enlarge the upper thoracic cage , thereby allowing the thoracic cage to be more easily compressed . OBJECTIVE : To evaluate the effect of chair-sitting during exercise training on respiratory muscle function in mechanically ventilated patients . METHODS : We r and omized 16 patients to a control group and 18 patients to a chair-sitting group .  The patients in the chair-sitting group were transferred by 2 intensive care unit nurses from bed to armchair and rested for at least 30 min , based on the individual patient 's tolerance . We measured heart rate , blood pressure , SpO2 , and respiratory rate . In the treatment group , before transferring the patient from bed to armchair , and 30 min after the completion of chair-sitting we measured respiratory muscle function variables , including the ratio of respiratory rate ( f ) to tidal volume ( VT ) , SpO2 , maximum inspiratory pressure ( PImax ) and maximum expiratory pressure ( PEmax ) . In the control patients we took those same measurements while the patient was in semirecumbent position , before and after treatments , for at least 6 days or until the patient was discharged from the intensive care unit or died . RESULTS : The 2 groups did not significantly differ in age , sex , or clinical outcomes . Respiratory rate , VT , f/VT , SpO2 , PImax , and PEmax were not significantly better in the chair-sitting group . The study period significantly improved respiratory rate , VT , PImax , and PEmax ( all P < .001 ) , but not f/VT . CONCLUSIONS : Six days of chair-sitting exercise training did not significantly improve respiratory muscle function in mechanically ventilated patients
Conclusion The findings of this review indicate a consistent trend that supports the role of a chair intervention to reduce musculoskeletal symptoms among workers who are required to sit for prolonged periods .
The review also highlights gaps : for example in showing whether the effectiveness of a chair intervention has long-term impact , particularly with respect to musculoskeletal symptoms , as well as the recurrence of symptoms and the consequent cost of care
Background Prolonged sitting has been associated with musculoskeletal dysfunction .
For desk workers , workstation modifications frequently address the work surface and chair .
Chairs which can prevent abnormal strain of the neuromuscular system may aid in preventing musculo-skeletal pain and discomfort .
Anecdotally , adjustability of the seat height and the seat pan depth to match the anthropometrics of the user is the most commonly recommended intervention .
Within the constraints of the current economic climate , employers dem and evidence for the benefits attributed to an investment in altering workstations , however this evidence -base is currently unclear both in terms of the strength of the evidence and the nature of the chair features .
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of chair interventions in reducing workplace musculoskeletal symptoms .