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Standing Desk Converter & Habitual Posture

Cognitive Function | Blood Pressure Regulation | Sedentary Time

This project will determine the short-term impact of a standing desk converter on: 1) objectively measured physical activity and posture levels, and 2) brain (cognition) and heart (blood pressure regulation) function. The main outcome is habitual activity patterns, assessed by the thigh-worn inclinometer (activPAL). All participants will be equipped with an activPAL and have their cardiovascular and cognitive function assessed at baseline and 4 weeks. Participants in the intervention group will use a standing desk converter for 4 weeks, while the wait-list control group will be encouraged to maintain their regular activity patterns. Researchers will compare the intervention and control groups to see if using the standing desk converter will increase standing time and lower sedentary time, improve cognition, and improve blood pressure regulation.

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Participation Requirements

  • Sex:

    ALL

  • Eligible Ages:

    18 and up

Participation Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 years of age or older
* Are normotensive, cognitively healthy, and do not have a history of fainting while standing
* Are able to stand for 10 min without assistance (e.g., require a walker, person assistance)
* Are not allergic to clear medical adhesive (TegadermTM, 3M) used to secure the activPAL activity monitors
* Use a seated desk at least 20 hours/week in the last month and do not use a standing or active desk already
* Females who are not pregnant, breastfeeding or planning on becoming pregnant prior to entry into the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Younger than 18 years old
* Hypertension (resting systolic pressure \>139 mmHg and/or diastolic pressure \>89 mmHg)
* Have a diagnosed cognitive impairment
* Have a history of orthostatic hypotension/intolerance and/or fainting while standing
* Cannot stand for at least 10 min without assistance (e.g., require a walker, person assistance)
* Have a known allergy to the clear medical adhesive (TegadermTM, 3M)
* Use a seated desk less than 20 hours/week, use a standing or active desk already, or use a desk for more than 20 hours/week but not in the last month
* Females who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning on becoming pregnant prior to entry into the study

Study Location

Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada

Contact Study Team

Backup Contact

Olga Theou, PhD

[email protected]
(902) 494-4248
Primary Contact

Myles W O'Brien, PhD

[email protected]
902-301-2523
Study Sponsored By
Dalhousie University
Participants Required
More Information
Study ID: NCT05970588