MRU Active Office Study

The Effects of an Active Office Workstation on the Magnitude of Neurovascular Coupling

Abstract

Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is the normal regulation between neuronal metabolic demand and local cerebral blood flow. We hypothesized that the introduction of the standing work station would result in improved NVC. Participants (40.5±9.8yrs; n=41) were recruited as part of the MRU Active Office Study, and sub-divided into one of three groups: Control (C; no standing station; n=19) and Intervention (I; standing station; n=22). Each participant was instrumented with transcranial Doppler ultrasound for posterior cerebral artery velocity (PCAv) in seated position at time 0 and 3 months. A 3-min eyes closed baseline was recorded for each participant, prior to NVC testing. NVC was tested via visual stimulation using a strobe light (6Hz; 30sec on/off x5). Peak PCAv from baseline ( P) and slope ( P/ T) were calculated during the NVC test. No significant change for P or P/ T (P=0.09, P=0.17, respectively) was found for the I group from 0 to 3 months. However, significant decreases were found for both P and P/ T (P=0.005, P=0.002, respectively) for the C group from 0 to 3 months. These preliminary data suggest that adopting a standing work station has an attenuating effect on the decline of NVC observed in sedentary office workers.

* Indicates faculty mentor