'Office of The Future' Environment Study

Mayo Clinic endocrinologist Dr. James Levine has continued his research in environment-changing innovations with a six-month study of a real-life office that was re-engineered to increase daily physical activity or NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis).

The study began in late 2007 and ended in 2008 at SALO, LLC, a Minneapolis-based financial staffing firm. Of the 45 employee volunteers involved in the scientific study, 18 were studied for weight loss and other changes, according to an announcement of the study.

Re-engineering included:

• Removing chairs and traditional desk seating
• Introducing walking tracks
• Educating and encouraging staff to conduct walking meetings
• Replacing traditional phones with mobile sets
• Adding desks attached to treadmills
• Introducing games in the workplace
• Providing high-tech activity monitors
• Advising staff about nutrition

Results:

• The 18 individuals lost a total of 156 pounds, 143 of that in body fat.
• Individuals lost an average of 8.8 pounds -- 90 percent of that was fat.
• Triglycerides decreased by an average of 37 percent.
• The nine participants who had expressed a desire to lose weight lost an average of 15.4 pounds.

Another key finding -- no productivity was lost due to the new environment. In fact, company officials say revenue rose nearly 10 percent during the first three months of the study, and the company recorded its highest-ever monthly revenue in January 2008 -- the study's midpoint.

Conclusion:

This "office of the future" is a functional environment that can also enhance weight loss and maintain health.

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Mayo Clinic, Microsoft Announce Agreement to Develop Consumer Health Tools

Mayo Clinic Health Solutions and Microsoft Corporation's Health Solutions Group announced today that they have entered into a strategic agreement to collaboratively develop tools that will empower people to manage their health and become engaged partners with their providers in a new model of health care.

As leaders in their respective industries, both organizations recognize the potential for technology solutions to help bridge the gaps in the health care system, to facilitate closer patient-to-physician connections, and to allow patients and consumers to better manage their health and wellness information. The collaboration will benefit from Microsoft's significant technology expertise and Mayo Clinic's experience in health care.

The organizations hope to announce further details of the project before the end of 2008.

"We are committed to finding new technology solutions that put the patient and consumer in control," says Brooks Edwards, M.D., chief medical officer, Mayo Clinic Health Solutions. "Our work with Microsoft is an exciting opportunity to create tools that empower patients to be in the very center of their own health care environment."

"Consumers demand and deserve tools that make their lives easier, facilitate communication, and help them take action to manage their health," says Peter Neupert, corporate vice president, Microsoft Health Solutions Group. "Building on the Microsoft HealthVault platform, our groups are committed to providing individuals with solutions that are dynamic, secure, and focused on the needs of the user, in order to effectively improve health and well-being."

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