Development, validation, acceptability and usability of a device-based system to measure sit-stand desk usage

We describe the development and testing (across three studies) of an open-source device designed to measure sit-stand desk usage: the Desk Positioning System (DPS). Accuracy of the DPS was assessed under prescribed (Study 1) and free-living (Study 2; video criterion) conditions, across multiple desk-types. Study 3 assessed usability and acceptability in the short-term (1-week) and longer-term (5-weeks). RESULTS: In Study 1, the DPS was 100% accurate at identifying most conditions (presence at desk 59/72 conditions, detecting desk height 166/168). In Study 2 (n = 10) the DPS demonstrated high accuracy (F1>0.95) and precision (>0.98) against the criterion (7866 observations). Study 3 participants (n = 23) reported high device acceptability in both the short- (mean [sd] 4.4/5 [SD 0.4]) and longer-term (4.6/5 [0.5]). Usability was above the 68-score industry benchmark at the short- (72.4/100 [14.2]) and longer-term (74.7/100 [18.5]). CONCLUSION: The DPS may provide an accurate, acceptable and useable way of understanding sit-stand desk usage.