Title: "Determinants and Associations of 24-hour Movement Behaviors in Desk Workers who Work from Home"

Student: Anthony Holmes

Committee Chair: Dr. Bethany Gibbs

Committe Members: Dr. Benjamin Gordon, Dr. Christopher Kline, Dr. Kelli Davis, Dr. Lee Stoner

Defense Abstract:

Introduction: Work from Home (WFH) has become a viable and common work modality. Scarce evidence exists assessing 24-hour movement behaviors in those who WFH. The goals of this project were to compare behaviors of WFH desk workers to office-based desk workers and to identify determinants and gain perspectives of those who WFH in relation to their 24-hour movement patterns.

Methods: The first aim was a secondary data analysis of baseline data from a randomized clinical trial among desk workers (n=275). Device-measured and self-reported 24-hour movement behaviors were compared between in-office vs. WFH worksite locations using linear regression. Odds of meeting 24-hour guidelines were also compared by worksite location, using the Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines as a framework. The second aim used a mixed methods study design in WFH desk workers (n=27) to assess device-measured and self-report 24-hour movement behavior data and gather qualitative data using focus groups. Focus group discussions intended to identify determinants and desired supports for healthy 24-hour movement behaviors in those who WFH. Following descriptive analysis of 24-hour behavior data, transcript analysis of five focus groups used Atlas.ti coding software, with two study coders, and identified salient themes.

Results: For aim 1, WFH workers accumulated significantly less light physical activity (LPA) [-0.51±0.20 hours/day, p=0.01] and higher prolonged sedentary behavior (SB) [0.54±0.25 hours/day, p=0.03] compared to in-office workers. WFH workers were less likely to meet MVPA guidelines (OR: 0.52 [95% CI: 0.28, 0.98)]) and more likely to meet the sleep quality (OR: 2.23 [95% CI: 1.10, 4.51]), waketime consistency (OR: 2.63 [95% CI: 1.27, 5.48)]), and overall sleep guidelines (OR: 2.42 [95% CI: 1.25, 4.67]). For aim 2 among, focus groups in WFH individuals revealed three key themes that impacted their 24-hour movement behaviors: 1) workspace characteristics such as physical environment characteristics, 2) support for healthy living such as employer support, and 3) non-work-related influences including family obligations and self-motivation.

Conclusions: WFH desk workers had different 24-hour behavior profiles to those who worked in office settings. Unique determinants of these behaviors for WFH contexts suggest future studies should incorporate WFH-specific determinants when designing interventions for this population.