Does using sit-stand desks at work affect how many calories people burn and how much time they spend sitting over the entire day? A feasibility study

This feasibility study is not powered to detect changes in outcome measures but to assess the feasibility and acceptability of procedures planned for a full-scale trial.

Phase I
The following outcomes will be assessed via online questionnaire:
1. Proportion of eligible participants interested in taking part in a 3 month trial on the use of sit-stand desks at work (Outcome 1 of Phase I)
2. Proportion of eligible participants interested in taking part in a 6 month trial on the use of sit-stand desks at work (Outcome 2 of Phase I)
3. Demographic characteristics (Outcome 3 of Phase I)
3.1. Age
3.2. Gender
3.3. BMI
3.4. Salary band
3.5. Highest educational qualification
3.6. Position within company
3.7. Postcode of primary residence
4. Proportion of participants preferring desk mounts vs full desks (Outcome 4 of Phase I)
5. Proportion of participants preferring to be assessed at home vs work vs the clinical research facility (Outcome 5 of Phase II)

Phase II
1. Proportion of workplaces suitable for full desks and desk mounts assessed via workplace auditing and recording (Outcome 1 of Phase II)
2. Proportion of workspaces permitting participants’ choice of desk to be installed (Outcome 2 of Phase II)

Phase III
1. Practicalities of delivering the intervention, assessed by recording (Outcome 1 of Phase III):
1.1. The time lapse between ordering the desks from the manufacturer and their delivery
1.2. Any permissions needed to install each desk type
1.3. The feasibility of training research staff to install desks
1.4. The feasibility of one person (a trained research assistant) installing each desk without help
1.5. The amount of time needed to install each desk
1.6. Any problems associated with delivering the desks to participants
1.7. Any problems installing each desk type
1.8. The practicalities associated with removing existing desks (applicable only when using full desks)
2. Circumstances and factors affecting desk use assessed via direct observations and diaries/logs (Outcome 2 of Phase III)
3. Proportion of participants dropping out between randomisation and the 3 month follow up (Outcome 3 of Phase III)
4. Trial-related outcomes, assessed at baseline (before randomisation) and at 3 months follow up (Outcome 4 of Phase III):
4.1. Sedentary behaviour measured using thigh-based accelerometer (activPAL) (Outcome 4.1):
4.1.1. Sitting time during a) working hours (workplace sitting time) and b) all waking hours (total sitting time) (outcome 4.1.a)
4.1.2. Sitting patterns (number of sit-to-stand transitions; sitting time accrued in prolonged bouts (>=30 minutes)) during a) working hours (workplace sitting patterns) and b) all waking hours (total sitting patterns) (outcome 4.1.b)
4.1.3. Physical Activity Energy Expenditure estimated via combined heart rate and movement sensor (Actiheart) (Outcome 4.2)
4.2. Cardio-metabolic related outcomes (Outcome 4.3):
4.2.1. BMI calculated from weight and height (Outcome 4.3.a)
4.2.2. Weight measured using a scale (Outcome 4.3.b)
4.2.3. Height measured using a stadiometer (Outcome 4.3.c)
4.2.4. Body composition measured via bioelectric impedance spectroscopy device (Outcome 4.3.d)
4.2.5. Blood pressure measured via electronic sphygmomanometer (Outcome 4.3.e)
4.2.6. Waist and hip circumferences measured using a tape measure (Outcome 4.3.f)
4.2.7. Plasma total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c ) measured via non-fasting blood tests (Outcome 4.3.g)
4.3. Musculoskeletal discomfort measured using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (Outcome 4.3.h)
4.4. Ability to work, work productivity, presenteeism, absenteeism and job satisfaction measured using the Work Ability Index; Stanford Presenteeism Scale and Measure of Job Satisfaction (Outcome 4.3.i)
4.5. Domain-specific sedentary behaviour measured using the SIT-Q-7d questionnaire (Outcome 4.3.j)
4.6. Health symptoms, including neck pain, headache, back pain, fatigue, eye strain, and loss of concentration , measured using a checklist (Outcome 4.3.k)
4.7. Health-related quality of life measured using the Euro-Quality of Life 5 (Outcome 4.3.l)
4.8. Food and drink consumption measured using a daily food log (Outcome 4.3.m)

Phase IV
All outcomes assessed via qualitative interviews:
1. Experiences of using desks, including factors perceived as affecting desk use, issues with desk use (contextual, practical, emotive or other) and adverse consequences (work, health or otherwise related) (Outcome 1 of Phase IV)
2. Experiences of other intervention components (Outcome 2 of Phase IV)
3. Company representatives’ perceptions of using sit-stand desks (Outcome 3 of Phase IV)
4. Acceptability of intervention (Outcome 4 of Phase IV)
5. Acceptability of assessments and burden (Outcome 5 of Phase IV)
6. Acceptability of study procedures (Outcome 6 of Phase IV)

Other measures
1. Proportion of participants dropping out between Phases

N/A