'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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Migraines Cost Business Big Bucks, Too

Migraines take a toll on employers as well — up to $28.7 billion in annual direct and indirect healthcare costs can be attributed to migraine-related losses in productivity. Data presented at the 59th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) in Boston, Mass., reinforced the benefit for employers to acknowledge and assess the impact of migraine to potentially improve workplace productivity. The data also suggested workers consider potential treatment options that may help them prevent or reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.

The first of three analyses sponsored by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc. found that employers who actively screen for migraine may help identify those undiagnosed with the condition. The researchers also evaluated the total burden of migraine in the workplace and found that more than 50 percent of the migraine sufferers surveyed experienced moderate to severe disability due to the condition, often affecting job performance and leading to missed workdays. The third analysis examined the impact of preventive treatment on workers who suffer from frequent migraines and suggested that use of TOPAMAX (topiramate) may lead to fewer missed workdays and improve workplace productivity.

"Migraine can have a significant impact in the workplace," says study investigator Jennifer Lofland, project director, Department of Health Policy, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.

"If migraine can be effectively managed during the workday, it may lead to cost savings for employers over the long run. One approach patients may want to consider is taking a preventive medication to help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks and potentially lead to more migraine-free days."

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