Gymnastik- och idrottshögskolan, GIH

Background: Behavior change research suggests that interventions addressing not only the individual, but also the environmental and organizational level might be more effective than those addressing only one. However, few RCTs have tried to change movement behavior among office workers with the aim of improving mental health outcomes, using multi-component interventions that address several levels. Above that, researchers seldomly assess acceptability, feasibility and fidelity of such complex interventions, even though they are considered important moderators of study outcomes. 

Purpose: This study aims at determining aspects of intervention acceptability, feasibility and fidelity of two multi-component cluster RCT interventions among office workers (N=263). Specifically, we want to answer: 

1. How did participants experience specific intervention components as facilitating or hindering a movement behavior change? 

2. Which factors in the work and non-work context did participants experience as facilitating or hindering a movement behavior change? 

3. Were intervention components implemented and perceived as intended? 

Methods The interventions addressed the individual level (counseling sessions based on cognitive behavior therapy and motivational interviewing), the environmental level (e.g. walking meetings or lunch walks organized by team leaders) and the organizational level (participation during work time, employers encouraging participation). One intervention focused on reducing sedentary behavior, the other on increasing physical activity, compared to a wait-list control group. After completion of the 6-month intervention period, audio-recorded interviews and focus group discussions were performed with participants, health coaches delivering the counseling sessions, team leaders and Human Resource staff). Verbatim transcribed data will be analyzed using thematic analysis (Braun&Clarke 2006). An initial codebook based on a-priori themes of interest will be created. Two researchers will apply it to a subset of transcripts, in an inductive fashion whilst allowing for new themes to emerge. Once agreement on a final version of the codebook will be achieved, remaining transcripts will be analyzed accordingly. 

Implications: We expect that the results of this study may help to understand and interpret the results of the quantitative effectiveness evaluations. This study may generate valuable knowledge that can inform future similar studies or workplace health promotion efforts and make their conduct more efficient.