An Ecological Investigation of Barriers and Facilitators Impacting Standing Desk Use in Real Working Conditions: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Workplace interventions have utilized standing desks to reduce sedentary behavior. However, minimal information is available concerning factors that impact use of standing desks under real working conditions. Purpose: To qualitatively explore factors that influence standing desk use under real working conditions. Methods: Individual interviews were conducted with university employees currently using a standing desk using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded for themes. Results: Participants (n = 37) identified factors impacting standing desk use across multiple socioecological levels. Intrapersonal-level barriers included forgetting to use the standing desk and pain or fatigue from standing; whereas, knowledge facilitated use. Social support facilitated use at the interpersonal level, but social norms were a barrier to standing. Access to standing desks and a wellness culture facilitated use at the institutional level, but the built environment was a barrier. Discussion: Findings from this study support a socioecological perspective of sedentary behavior and highlight the importance of incorporating intervention strategies at multiple levels to change sedentary behavior. Translation to Health Education Practice: The findings from this study may be used to develop multi-level strategies to initiate and maintain use of standing desks in order to overcome and prevent barriers impacting regular use.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the help of Hunter Thomas, who assisted with the data collection for the study. Also, the researchers would like to thank the participants and the employee wellness organization at the university, as this study would not have been completed without their participation and support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Junior Faculty Summer Fellowship grant, The University of Oklahoma.