Research Grid: Are Wellness Programs Effective in a Workplace Setting?

Are Wellness Programs Effective in a Workplace Setting?

Melissa Cockley
March 6th, 2017
Florida Hospital Dietetic Internship Program
Cohort Study 2
Research Grid
Research Grid: Are Wellness Programs Effective in a Workplace Setting?
Title & Author
Arrogi, A., Schotte, A.,
Bogaerts, A., Boen, F.,
Seghers, J. (2017 January)
Short- and long-term
effectiveness of a three-
month individualized
need-supportive physical
activity counseling
intervention at the
workplace.
http://bmcpublichealth.
biomedcentral.com/articles
/10.1186/s12889-016-
3965-1
BMC Public Health
Journal
Are Wellness Programs Effective in a Workplace Setting?
Populations Methods
300 employees -Quasi-experimental.
at a - Examining the Self-
Pharmaceutical Determination Theory
company (SDT). This theory targets
located in and facilitates human
Flanders, motivation.
Belgium. - Objectives: decrease
sedentary behavior &
increase physiological
satisfaction.
- Two cycles with two
groups: intervention and
reference. The intervention
group- inactive employees,
the reference group- monitor
their PA.
-Three-month intervention: 6
face to face and 3 electronic
sessions. Two sessions used
for measurements.
-Measurement sessions were
bi-weekly.
-Counseling sessions: hour-
long planning participants
goals. Participants chose
exercise programs to
complete daily to decrease
sedentary time.
2
Results Conclusion
-Majority females: a -Effectiveness of a three-
BMI of 25 or higher. month physical activity
-Short Term Intervention counseling trial was
group: increased number successful.
of steps during the week, - Short-term intervention
increased daily minutes group: increase in daily
of vigorous activity, steps during the week in
increased Moderate to both short & long-term
vigorous activity, trials.
decreased sedentary - Moderate to vigorous
time. activity was increased for
- Long-term intervention the short-term trials.
group: increased daily - Reference Group:
steps, lower sedentary monitored own PA.
time. - Influence of
- Intervention groups met psychological needs: met
goal for steps (10,000 in long-term and short-
steps/day) after term interventions.
intervention. Participants in the
-Moderate-to-vigorous intervention group reported
PA: intervention group high amounts of autonomy
met 30 minute/day support from PA
guideline compared to counselor.
reference group. -Strength: intervention is
-Results based on one of the first studies to
physiological satisfaction evaluate the long-term
in short-term intervention effectiveness of an SDT-
group were significantly based intervention in a
increased compared to workplace setting.
reference group. -Weakness: could have
been more randomized.
Research Grid: Are Wellness Programs Effective in a Workplace Setting?
Title & Author
LaCaille, L., Schultz, J., Goei, 500 Hospital
R., LaCaille, R., Dauner, K.,
Souza, R., Nowak, A., Regal,
R.
Published: (February 19, 2016) United States.
Go!: results from a quasi-
experimental obesity
prevention trial with hospital
employees.
http://bmcpublichealth
.biomedcentral.com/articles
/10.1186/s12889-016-2828-0
BMC Public Health Journal
3
Are Wellness Programs Effective in a Workplace Setting?
Population Methods Results Conclusion
- Quasi-experimental -Majority of participants -Outcome: unsuccessful
Employees non- equivalent control completed 6 & 12-month with lowering BMI, &
located in the group. program. weight loss.
Midwestern -Participants (majority): - Both groups showed no -Participants benefited
married, white, and difference in BMI or from gaining knowledge
female. weight. about leading a healthier
-Two groups- -Comparison group: lifestyle, but few applied it.
Intervention & Decrease in waist - Participants enjoyed
Comparison. circumference at 6 walking more and
-Included: Pedometers & months. Improvements engaging in healthy
traffic light food in: employer conversation with
labeling. commitment, and health coworkers.
-Primary Outcomes: information discussions - Employees did not use
changes in BMI, waist with coworkers. tools to prevent weight
circumference, physical -Intervention group: gain in comparison group
activity, and dietary increase in walking. as much as intervention
habits recorded at 6 Showed improved group.
months and again at one knowledge in PA, energy -Recommendation: more
year. balance, weight loss, & research to be done
-Secondary outcomes: healthy eating because some approaches
perceptions of employer, information. may have an immediate
commitment of -Fruit & vegetable intake impact but tend to fade
employees health, did not differ, nor did over time, while others are
availability of fiber intake. long lasting.
information about diet,
exercise, & weight loss.
-Anticipating
participants to maintain
or lose weight.
Research Grid: Are Wellness Programs Effective in a Workplace Setting?
Are Wellness Programs Effective in a Workplace Setting?
Title & Author
Page, N., Nilsson, V.
Published: (January 10, 2017)
Active Commuting: Workplace
Health Promotion for Improved
Employee Well-Being and
Organizational Behavior.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.
nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5222872/
Frontiers in Psychology
4
Population Methods Results Conclusion
31 employees - Quasi- experimental -Active Travel group: -Active Travelers: benefit
at a longitudinal used e-bike on an most in terms of physical
University in intervention. average of 1-2 days a activity, organization, &
England. -12 employees were week. Average length of psychologically feeling.
active travel (e- loaning e-bike was six -Passive Travelers: results
cycling) & 19 were weeks. Displayed/ were the same as before
involved in passive indicated more positive the study started.
travel (non-active). feelings and -Weakness: few
- Active travel organizational behavior. employees participating,
participants borrowed Physical health was road/traffic conditions, &
e-bikes for 5 months improved. weather.
to encourage physical - Both groups took about
activity. the same amount of time
- The Passive Travel to travel (21-30 minutes)
group used their cars to work.
to commute for the - Barriers: Road
duration of the study. conditions/traffic, and
- Travel participants weather were major
were to complete concerns when traveling
weekly diary entries & by both car and e-bike.
monthly
questionnaires.
Research Grid: Are Wellness Programs Effective in a Workplace Setting?
Title & Author
Goldberg, L., Lockwood, C.,
Garg, B., Kuehl, K.
Publish: (August 2015)
Healthy Team Healthy U: A
Prospective Validation of an
Evidence-Based Worksite
Health Promotion and
Wellness Platform.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.
nih.gov/pmc/articles/
PMC4524273/
Frontiers in Psychology.
5
Are Wellness Programs Effective in a Workplace Setting?
Population Methods Results Conclusion
2,000+ employees -Division of Health -Positive Outcomes: -Majority of participants
at Oregons Health Promotion & Sports lowered blood pressure, had positive outcomes.
and Science Medicine at Oregon decrease in pre- - Decreased blood
University. Health & Science hypertension & pressure, hypertension, &
University developed hypertension, major BMI.
Healthy Team Healthy losses in weight & BMI -Increase in fruits,
U to help employees in participants that were vegetables, & physical
adapt to a healthier life previously activity.
style. overweight/obese. - Participants felt happier,
- 12-session health -Increase in happiness and were less stressed.
promotion program among all participants, & -Program received
Conducted between a reduction of stress in positive feedback from
2011- 2014 at various those who reported participants.
locations. higher work stress - Strengths: Succeeded in
-Web-based program: initially. a large setting. Had
tracking employee - Overall health was positive outcomes for
progress & digital increased for employees majority of participants.
resources (cooking & from strength training,
exercise videos, moderate intense
educational activities) physical activity, &
- Pre-& post intense exercise.
interventions included a - This program was rated
self- reported on a scale of one (not
questionnaire, obtaining helpful) to five (very
weight, height & blood helpful) for the overall
pressure. assessment of the study.
- Focus: activity, stress
reduction, sleep
quantity, quality & goal
setting.
Research Grid: Are Wellness Programs Effective in a Workplace Setting? 6

Are Wellness Programs Effective in a Workplace Setting?

Title & Author Population Methods Results Conclusion
Elliot, D., MacKinnon, D., Roughly 583 - Meditation analysis. -Participation was over - Fruit & vegetable
Mabry,L., Kisbu-Sakarya, Y., Fire Fighters in -Purpose: to incorporate 80%. intake increased
DeFrancesco, C., Coxe, S., 19 departments wellness programs in fire - Measurements slightly.
Kuehl, K., Moe, E., located in departments. included: number of -BMI was increased.
Goldberg, L., Favorite, K. Oregon and -Used IGNITE (The daily servings of fruits - For the firemen over
(March 2, 2012) Washington Investigation Guide New Insight and vegetables, BMI, the age of 40, or who
Worksite wellness program State. for Transitional Effectiveness). and health quality. were near retirement
implementation: - Research shows the leading - Average age was found it hard to
a model of translational cause of death while on duty in around 40 years change their dietary
effectiveness fire fighters is myocardial throughout all intake.
infractions. departments. - Strength: creating a
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov - The Promoting Healthy - Some of the fire wellness program can
/pmc/articles/PMC3717883/ Lifestyles (PHLAME) fighters showed be effective in the
wellness/injury reduction concern saying that public service sector
Translational Behavioral program was developed. working in this line of and work just as well
Medicine - Four months long, with 12, 45- service in a physically as it would in an
minute interactive sessions once demanding and abusive office or medical
a week. Participants completed environment take a setting.
surveys, height & weight were toll on ones body.
taken.
- Fire fighter was assessed over
3-day period since participants
worked in three 24 hour shifts
per week.
- After six-month period
demographics and dietary intake
data was collected.
 Research Grid: Are Wellness Programs Effective in a Workplace Setting? 7

According to the Harvard Business Review, wellness programs have been successful because they provide companies with

healthier employees as well as decreasing lost work days. Many employers offer incentives, such as reduced health insurance rates, to

encourage a healthy lifestyle. I was curious to see what other programs were used in various workplace settings, which motivated me

to research the effectiveness of wellness programs. A university located in England was trying to promote wellness by loaning their

employees free e- bikes to use as transportation. Unfortunately, very few employees decided to participate in this research study, and

overall this method proved unsuccessful. England is not an ideal location to be commuting via bike to and from work daily due to road

conditions and weather. A more successful study was located at a University in Oregon. Multiple employees and staff members

participated in a research study that promoted a healthier lifestyle by constantly tracking employee success and providing digital

videos to encourage exercise and healthy cooking. This program was successful after reviewing the results from participants: a

lowering blood pressure, a decrease in prehypertension, and a reduced BMI. Florida Hospital uses a program called CREATION.

While this program is introduced during orientation, they make an effort once you apart of the Florida Hospital family to achieve a

healthy lifestyle. The Welch Caf uses the Stop Light Method to address which food options are healthier, while the Florida Hospital

website occasionally promotes events such as 5K marathons to participate in. To conclude, there is evidence to prove that wellness

programs can be effective as long as the right approach is used.

Research Grid: Are Wellness Programs Effective in a Workplace Setting? 8

Reference:

1. Berry, L., Mirabito, A., Baun, W. Whats the Hard Return on Employee Wellness Programs? (December 2010).

https://hbr.org/2010/12/whats-the-hard-return-on-employee-wellness-programs