Efficacy and costs of a workplace wellness programme

The occupational therapy process in workplace wellness: A qualitative study of client experience

BACKGROUND

Occupational therapy presently has a limited presence within the workplace wellness industry and the profession's contribution within this area of practice is not fully understood. Occupational therapy's holistic, occupation-based, and client-centered approach has the potential to provide a valuable contribution to the field of workplace wellness.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the experience of organizational employees participating in a workplace wellness program centered in the occupational therapy domain and process.

METHODS

Six occupational therapy workplace wellness program participants completed in-depth semi-structured interviews one month after program completion followed by deductive thematic analysis of transcripts.

RESULTS

Three themes emerged (sustainable change across context, process matters, and therapeutic relationship supporting wellness), along with subthemes, describing the participant experience.

CONCLUSIONS

The structured and individualized process of occupational therapy delivered within a workplace wellness program was appreciated by participants as a means of addressing workplace wellness and providing sustainable wellness results.

Preliminary Efficacy and Acceptability of an Online Exercise and Nutrition Workplace Wellness Program: A Brief Report

BACKGROUND

Workplace wellness programs (WWP) offer physiological and psychological benefits to employees and financial and productivity benefits to employers. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented in-person sessions and has required WWP's to transition to online platforms. The purpose of this brief report was to assess the preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a mobile version of the Bruin Health Improvement Program (BHIP mobile) WWP.

METHODS

Participants virtually attended (i.e., via Zoom) twice weekly physical activity sessions and a once weekly nutrition seminar for 10-weeks with the option of a 30-minute one-on-one consultation with a registered dietician. Demographics, anthropometric indices, stress, muscular endurance, and aerobic fitness were assessed at baseline and follow-up. All analyses were conducted in SPSS v. 27.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven participants (96% female) enrolled and 13 (100% female) completed the 10-week program. There were significant reductions in bodyweight (p < .01) and body mass index (p < .02) but not stress (p > .05), and significant increases in muscular endurance (p < .01) but not aerobic fitness (p > .05). Overall, BHIP mobile appears to be acceptable to participants but logistical concerns such as inconsistent internet connection was noted as potential downfalls.

CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE

Improvements in health outcome among completers of a mobile WWP were promising. Completer feedback highlighted program strengths as the flexibility and comfort of attending exercise sessions and nutrition classes from home. Future versions of the program will allocate resources to improve completion and expand appeal for men and women.