Dynamic Office Environments Improve Brain Activity and Attentional Performance Mediated by Increased Motor Activity

Abstract

Current research demonstrates beneficial effects of physical activity on brain functions and cognitive performance. To date, less is known on the effects of gross motor movements that do not fall into the category of sports-related aerobic or anaerobic exercise. In previous studies, we found beneficial effects of dynamic working environments, i.e., environments that encourage movements during cognitive task performance, on cognitive performance and corresponding brain activity. Aim of the present study was to examine the effects of working in a dynamic and a static office environment on attentional and vigilance performance, and on the corresponding electroencephalographic (EEG) brain oscillatory patterns. In a 2-week intervention study, participants worked either in a dynamic or a static office. In each intervention group, 12 subjects performed attentional and vigilance tasks. Spontaneous EEG was measured from 19 electrodes continuosly before, during, and immediately after each experimental condition at the first, and at the last intervention session. Results showed differences in EEG brain activity in the dynamic compared to the static office at the beginning as well as at the end of the intervention. EEG theta power increased in the vigilance task in anterior regions, alpha power in central and parietal regions in the dynamic compared to the static office. Further, increases in beta activity in the attention and vigilance task were shown in frontal and central regions in the dynamic office. Gamma power increased in the attention task in frontal and central regions. After 2 weeks, effects on brain activity increased in the attentional and vigilance task in the dynamic office. Increased theta and alpha oscillations were obtained in anterior areas with higher activity in the beta band in anterior and central areas in the dynamic compared to the static office. EEG oscillatory patterns indicate beneficial effects of dynamic office environments on attentional and vigilance performance that are mediated by increased motor activity. We discuss the obtained patterns of EEG oscillations in terms of the close interrelations between the attentional and the motor system.

Keywords: EEG; dynamic working environment; ergonomics; movement; office.

Figure 1

Illustration of the dynamic office environment. (A) Sitting workstation. (B) Change from the sitting to the standing workstation. (C) Standing workstation.

Figure 2

Illustration of the experimental tasks. (A) Sample row of the d2-R task. (B) Mackworth clock task.

Figure 3

Results of the d2-R test. *p < 0.05.

Figure 4

Results of the Mackworth clock task. *p < 0.05.

Figure 5

Electroencephalographic (EEG) brain activity for the theta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands in the dynamic and static office during the d2-R test.

Figure 6

EEG brain activity for the theta, alpha, and beta bands in the dynamic and static office during the Mackworth clock task.