Effect of smartwatch and break-reminder with exercises application on cardiometabolic risk and cognition in office workers: a single group pre-posttest design
Issued Date
2026-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
14712458
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105038108506
Pubmed ID
41877101
Journal Title
BMC Public Health
Volume
26
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
BMC Public Health Vol.26 No.1 (2026)
Suggested Citation
Boonprasop S., Jalayondeja W., Mekhora K., Bhuanantanondh P., Upiriyasakul R., Putsa B., Samsang P., Kansadub T., Anuraktam K., Jalayondeja C. Effect of smartwatch and break-reminder with exercises application on cardiometabolic risk and cognition in office workers: a single group pre-posttest design. BMC Public Health Vol.26 No.1 (2026). doi:10.1186/s12889-026-27081-1 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/116763
Title
Effect of smartwatch and break-reminder with exercises application on cardiometabolic risk and cognition in office workers: a single group pre-posttest design
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Physical inactivity and prolonged sitting at work can increase risk of cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) and cognitive decline. This study aimed to determine the effect of a six-month physical activity (PA) promotion program on CMRFs and cognitive function in office workers. Methods: Eighty-seven office workers aged 20–59 years, with ≥ 2 years of work experience and ≥ 4 h/day of sitting, volunteered to participate in this study. The PA promotion program used a smartwatch to encourage moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and walking over a six-month period, combined with a break-reminder exercise application installed on participants’ computers in the last two months period. Obesity measurements, lipid profiles test, and cognitive function tests were assessed at baseline, four and six months. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction was used for analysis. Results: The results demonstrated significant improvements in waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), lipid profiles (HDL-C, LDL-C, and total cholesterol [TC]), and cognitive function, particularly in attention and executive domains over the six-month period. The mean difference in WHtR between the 3rd vs. 1st assessments was − 0.007 ± 0.003. LDL-C levels showed a significant reduction of − 7.34 mg/dL (95% CI: −12.09 to − 2.58) when comparing the 3rd vs.2nd assessment. In addition, HDL-C levels increased significantly by + 2.84 mg/dL (95% CI: +0.82 to + 4.87) at six months compared with baseline. Conclusion: This preliminary pre-posttest study demonstrated that the use of a smartwatch and a break-reminder exercise application promoted MVPA and walking, reduced sitting time at work (by 42.9 min/day), and improved CMRFs and cognitive function among office workers. However, future studies should focus on implementing smartwatch- and application-based tools to enhance personal engagement and facilitate long-term self-monitoring, while integrating environmental strategies to encourage sustainable behavioral change and promote workplace safety.