Improving employees' work-related well-being and physical health through a technology-based physical activity intervention: A randomized intervention-control group study

J Occup Health Psychol. 2020 Apr;25(2):143-158. doi: 10.1037/ocp0000169. Epub 2019 Sep 2.

Abstract

Although activity trackers are becoming more popular, little is known whether this new technology qualifies to improve employees' health. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a workplace intervention applying activity trackers (behavioral approach) along with an online coach (cognitive approach) on work-related well-being (e.g., burnout) and physical health (e.g., body mass index). To test for intervention effects, 116 employees at risk were recruited at 1 large mobility enterprise in Germany and randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 59) and a control group (n = 57). Intervention effects were assessed 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year after the intervention. Analyses of variance for repeated measures revealed no intervention or long-term effects on work-related well-being. In the intervention group, we found a significant increase in health perception and a significant decrease in body mass index. These effects were stable over time 3 months after the intervention for health perception and 1 year after the intervention for body mass index. Our study shows that a cognitive-behavioral intervention with activity trackers improved physical health over time but was not effective in enhancing work-related well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index
  • Burnout, Professional / prevention & control*
  • Burnout, Professional / psychology
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Counseling
  • Exercise / physiology
  • Exercise / psychology
  • Female
  • Fitness Trackers*
  • Germany
  • Health Promotion / methods
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Health
  • Technology
  • Weight Loss / physiology
  • Work / psychology*
  • Young Adult