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WorkWell: Work-based Activity and Metabolic Health

WorkWell: A Pre-clinical Pilot Study of Increased Standing and Light-intensity Physical Activity in Prediabetic Sedentary Office Workers

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04269070
Enrollment
15
Registered
2020-02-13
Start date
2021-03-25
Completion date
2023-04-30
Last updated
2023-05-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Obesity, PreDiabetes

Keywords

sedentary, prediabetes, lifestyle modification, cardiometabolic health

Brief summary

This study will test whether a range of pre-clinical cardiometabolic biomarkers can be improved via regular intervals of standing and light-intensity physical activity in real-world office environments.

Detailed description

This pilot study is being conducted to determine whether a range of pre-clinical cardiometabolic biomarkers (measured via gut microbiome, blood draw) can be improved via regular intervals of standing and light-intensity physical activity (i.e., leisurely walking) in real-world office environments. This trial is meant to generate pilot data which will lead to additional clinical trials. Primary Hypothesis: Increasing both standing and light-intensity physical activity will improve biomarkers of metabolic function, as measured by blood metabolites and differential abundance of gut microbiome composition, compared to a control condition of normal workplace behavior.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALStanding condition

Participants will be asked to stand an additional 6 minutes per hour above their median standing time from the observed time in the usual behavior condition.

BEHAVIORALLight physical activity (LPA) condition

Participants will be asked to perform 6 additional minutes per hour above their median LPA time from the observed time in the usual behavior condition.

BEHAVIORALUsual behavior condition

Participants will be asked to perform their normal work activities in their normal work environment for one week. There will be no modifications to their work environment or instructions given of what activities to partake in. This period will be used to understand their normal standing and LPA behaviors to determine the personalized changes to their standing and LPA behaviors in the other conditions.

Sponsors

Arizona State University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Flow-mediated dilation outcome: Images that are obtained will be analyzed by a blinded researcher using a previously validated, edge-detection software

Intervention model description

This is a crossover trial where study participants will experience two conditions following a baseline usua behavior conditions. All study participants will experience each of the conditions: a standing condition, and a light intensity physical activity (LPA) intervention.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Women and men age 18 yrs and older * Holds a job where primary work activities are done seated * Has the space and ability to use a sit-to-stand workstation in their primary workspace * Works in an office setting or remotely for ≥ 4 days per week * Have a BMI ≥ 25.0 (≥23.0 for individuals of Asian descent)

Exclusion criteria

* Currently taking diabetes medication * Taking any of the following medications or treatments: * Medication to control high blood pressure * Medication to treat high glucose * Blood thinners * Hormone replacement therapy (in the past 12 months) * Corticosteroids * High dose statins (Dr. Reaven, MD to adjudicate eligibility based on dosage) * 2nd generation antipsychotics * Current or previous foot or lower limb injuries * Current use of sit-stand workstation * Current smoker * Neuromuscular or cardiovascular disorders or other serious active medical issues, including deep vein thrombosis or respiratory issues * Has a physical impairment or musculoskeletal condition that will prevent the subject from standing or light-intensity walking for a maximum of 30 minutes * Has been advised to avoid prolonged periods of sitting or standing by a physician or other healthcare provider * History of inflammatory bowel or intestinal malabsorption conditions * Use of prebiotics, probiotics or antibiotics in the last 3 months * Serious food allergies or restrictions * Participants who will be travelling 3 or more days out of their typical week

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in 2-hour postprandial area-under-the-curve blood glucose at 2 weeks2 weeksParticipants will be asked to wear the Abbott Freestyle Libre continuous glucose monitor during the usual behavior condition (week 1) and both experimental conditions (weeks 2-3 and weeks 5-6). Research staff will insert the CGM sensor at the screening and study visits. The training for this insertion will be conducted by a registered research nurse. The CGM sensors have been designed and tested to be worn continuously for up to 14 days. Sensors will be placed and removed by trained research staff at appropriate time-points throughout the study. Postprandial period will follow a standardize lunch meal. Area-under-the-curve calculations will be based on 2 hours following delivery of this lunch meal.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in baseline workplace standing time at 2 weeks2 weeksParticipants will be asked to wear an activPAL accelerometer throughout the entire intervention period. Data from the devices will be downloaded at each study visit. The activPAL device is worn on the right thigh and is equipped with low energy Bluetooth and will communicate wirelessly with the provided smartphone application to provide feedback to the participant and compliance with the protocol. Workplace time will be assessed by a self-report log and activPAL time will be extracted based on these reports.
Change in baseline workplace stepping time at 2 weeks2 weeksParticipants will be asked to wear an activPAL accelerometer throughout the entire intervention period. Data from the devices will be downloaded at each study visit. The activPAL device is worn on the right thigh and is equipped with low energy Bluetooth and will communicate wirelessly with the provided smartphone application to provide feedback to the participant and compliance with the protocol. Workplace time will be assessed by a self-report log and activPAL time will be extracted based on these reports.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Treatment acceptability/satisfaction2 weeksIntervention acceptability questionnaire at the end of each condition will elicit each participant's perceived acceptability of the intervention.
Change in central aortic diastolic and systolic blood pressure at 2 weeks2 weeksAll participants will lay down in a dimly lit room and have resting blood pressure measured using an automated blood pressure machine. Thereafter, an appropriately sized blood pressure cuff will be placed on the left arm and central and peripheral blood pressures will be assessed using the non-invasive SphygmoCor system.
Change in fasting blood glucose at 2 weeks2 weeksAfter verifying fasting for 10-12 hours, a blood sample (about 15 ml, approximately 1 tablespoon) will be collected via venipuncture to measure markers of glucose. After withdrawal, blood will be centrifuged at 1,100 x g at 4°C for 20 minutes, and serum, plasma and erythrocytes will be aliquoted and stored at -80 degrees Celsius for subsequent analysis upon sample collection completion. Blood will be drawn by Arizona Biomedical Collaborative Laboratory clinical staff.
Change in femoral artery reactivity at 2 weeks2 weeksFemoral Artery Flow Mediated Dilation (FAFMD) Endothelium-dependent dilation of the femoral artery will be measured using B-mode ultrasound (Terason uSmart 3300+™, Burlington MA) using guidelines set forth by the Brachial Artery Reactivity Task Force.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 9, 2026