Full metadata record
| DC Field | Value | Language |
|---|---|---|
| dc.contributor | Department of Rehabilitation Sciences | en_US |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Tsang, Hector (RS) | en_US |
| dc.creator | Wang, Cong | - |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/14577 | - |
| dc.language | English | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Hong Kong Polytechnic University | en_US |
| dc.rights | All rights reserved | en_US |
| dc.title | Psychophysiological mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-based intervention to reduce daily sedentary behaviours and improve wellness among office workers | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | Sedentary behaviors (SBs) and their associated health risks have attracted increasing attention in clinical and research settings, particularly among office workers. Evidence has revealed that higher levels of SBs in the workplace are associated with higher perceived stress and cortisol levels. However, few studies have focused on the role of stress management in reducing SBs. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)-based body works (e.g., Baduanjin, dantian breathing, acupressure) are low-cost techniques with promising possibilities for addressing stress and SBs in the workplace. The present research tested the effects of a TCM-based sedentariness-reduction intervention on sedentary time, physical outcomes, and psychological outcomes for office workers. We also investigated whether such an sedentariness-reduction effect would operate through stress management. To address these knowledge gaps, this project comprised one systematic review and meta-analysis, a feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT), and an RCT. | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | Study 1 (Chapter 3) reports on a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted to examine the pooled effect of SB-reduction interventions on office workers' sitting time, relative to various control conditions. The findings indicated that SB-reduction interventions were generally effective in decreasing workplace sitting time. Multicomponent interventions combining environmental support with motivational strategies emerged as the most effective approach. However, the quality of the evidence was moderate due to methodological constraints. Future research therefore should not only focus on reducing SBs but also aim to demonstrate the broader physical and psychological benefits of SB-reduction interventions. | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | Study 2 (Chapter 4) outlines a feasibility RCT conducted with Chinese office workers, comparing a TCM-based intervention for reducing sedentariness with a waitlist control. Thirty-eight participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control group. The intervention comprised three workshops over two weeks, emphasizing mindfulness-based practices and strategies to address environmental factors contributing to SBs, followed by two weeks of guided self-practice. The intervention was deemed both feasible and acceptable, with preliminary results indicating reductions in sitting time and improvements in perceived stress. However, the small sample size limited the ability to detect significant differences in secondary outcomes. | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | Study 3 (Chapter 5) presents an RCT conducted to assess the effectiveness of a TCM-based intervention in decreasing SBs among 63 middle-aged Chinese office workers, compared with a waitlist control group. The study also investigated changes in the participants' physical activity, health indicators, and the psychophysiological mechanisms underlying the intervention's effects. The four-week intervention led to significant reductions in SBs and improvements in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation, grip strength, emotional well-being, and self-efficacy. In addition, mediation analysis indicated that the decrease in sedentary time was associated with modulation of the HPA axis during the workday. | en_US |
| dcterms.abstract | In summary, this project advances understanding of the role of TCM-based interventions in reducing SBs and managing stress among office workers. The evidence suggested that TCM-based bodywork is practical and effective in decreasing sitting time, reducing stress, and improving health outcomes. These findings underscore the value of incorporating stress management into SB interventions and support the need for a full-scale RCT to confirm these findings and further elucidate other salient biopsychosocial mechanisms. | en_US |
| dcterms.extent | xviii, 211 pages : color illustrations | en_US |
| dcterms.isPartOf | PolyU Electronic Theses | en_US |
| dcterms.issued | 2026 | en_US |
| dcterms.educationalLevel | Ph.D. | en_US |
| dcterms.educationalLevel | All Doctorate | en_US |
| dcterms.accessRights | open access | en_US |
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