Digital Worksite Exercise Intervention in China: Outcome and Process Evaluation (Move-It)

Aim The aim of the study is to deliver a digital video-based worksite exercise intervention in China and conduct outcome and process evaluation. The objectives are: [1] to examine the effect of a video-based intervention on physical activity (PA) and weekday sitting hours (individual level); [2] to examine the effect of a video-based intervention on individual work performance (individual level); [3] to conduct a process evaluation of the intervention implementation (individual and cluster level).

Design This is a 2-arm cluster-randomised wait-list control trial, with outcomes assessed in two groups: intervention and wait-list control (objectives 1 and 2).

Clusters (sites) will be randomly allocated to groups at 1:1 ratio using computer-generated random number sequence.

Setting 2 sites of a major organisation in China (one in Beijing, one in Guangzhou), with a total of 490 employees.

Data Collection Data will be collected through online questionnaires emailed to all employee participants (Time 1 = T1). Employees in both groups will complete a second online questionnaire (Time 2 = T2). For the intervention group T2 will be immediately post-intervention, for the wait-list control group this will be just prior to receiving the intervention.

Sample size At an individual level, the estimated sample size is a minimum 72 for intervention group and 72 for control group, alpha 0.05, beta 0.2 and power 0.8.

Intervention This digital intervention consists of a series of six video clips demonstrating Qigong exercises designed to be undertaken at set exercise break times during the working day. The intervention includes a specially designed logo and selected images to be used on promotional posters and a dedicated 'Move-It' webpage. The six promotional videos are designed to be posted in sequence, one every two weeks, on the Move-It website. A Move-It icon on each employee's desktop computer screen will be scheduled to pop up twice a day as a prompt to interrupt sitting. The intervention is designed to be completed within 12 weeks.

Measures Self-report measures of PA, work performance and weekday sitting hours are taken at T1 (baseline) and T2 (12 week follow-up).

Data analysis Intervention outcome data will be analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS) Version 24.

Outcomes will be compared between the pre- and post-intervention time points. Intracluster correlations and estimated effects sizes will be presented for each outcome. Data from both clusters will be included in all analyses, and analysis is by intention-to-treat.

Process evaluation Will take place at the end of the intervention (intervention site only). This will include up to 6 focus groups (up to n=35) with employees (both participants and non-participants), organisational committee members and senior management.

These will be aligned with the RE-AIM framework to explore intervention reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance.