What does this research mean for the field?

Individualized workplace counseling reduces sedentary time by approximately 30 minutes during work hours compared to educational factsheets and control groups. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of individualized workplace counseling on reducing sedentary behavior and enhancing physical activity among university employees.

March 2, 2026Open Access

Reducing sedentary behavior through workplace counseling: effects on activity, sitting breaks, and well-being – a randomized controlled trial

Key Points

This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of individualized workplace counseling on reducing sedentary behavior and enhancing physical activity among university employees.
Randomized controlled trial design
Three groups: counseling, factsheet, and control
Assessment of physical activity and sedentary behavior using Nordic Physical Activity Questionnaire
Evaluation of well-being and pain using WHO-5 and Short Form 36 Health Survey
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess intervention effects
Individualized counseling reduced workplace sedentary time by 30.73 minutes
Counseling increased vigorous intensity activity at work by 10.24 minutes
No significant changes in leisure activity levels, well-being, or perceived bodily pain were observed
Factsheet and control groups showed no reduction in sedentary time

Abstract

The increase in hybrid-work or work-from-home demands setting-specific strategies to improve health-promoting behaviors. This study compared the effects of a behavioral intervention based on individualized workplace counseling to an educational approach based on a standardized factsheet. University employees (n = 121) were randomly allocated to three groups receiving: (1) a factsheet visualizing the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior, (2) 20 min of individualized counseling tailored to individual barriers, opportunities, and personal strengths, or (3) no advice (control group). Physical activity (minutes per week) and sedentary behavior (minutes per day) during leisure- and occupational time were assessed before and 4 weeks after interventions using the Nordic Physical Activity Questionnaire. Further outcomes were well-being (WHO-5 questionnaire), pain intensity, and pain interference with work (both with the Short Form 36 Health Survey). Descriptive data are indicated as mean and standard deviation, and the effects of the interventions were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The participants (age 43.6, 12.2 years, body mass index 24.3, 3.9 kg/m²) showed high levels of leisure-time physical activity (294.30, 215.37 min) and moderate levels of sedentary behavior (504.33, 158.82 min) at baseline. Overall, physical activity levels (32.37, 112.51 min) and especially vigorous intensity levels (3.88, 19.64 min) at work were low. A large share of daily sedentary time was accumulated during work (414.05, 105.19 min). The individualized counseling group decreased workplace sedentary time (-30.73, 81.74 min), compared to the factsheet (0.00, 54.35 min) and control groups (+ 6.00, 72.92 min), and increased workplace vigorous intensity activity (+ 10.24, 43.10 min), compared to the factsheet (+ 0.50, 3.16 min) and control group (-6.75, 28.77 min) (p.05). An individualized approach to setting-specific physical activity counseling improves health-promoting behaviors in physically active persons with sedentary occupations. Registered at the German Clinical Trial Register: drks.de (registration number: DRKS00031671; 04 Feb 2025). Retrospectively registered.

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Cite This Study

Engeroff et al. (Sat,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69a52920f1e85e5c73bf06cb https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-026-01867-6

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