Sit-Stand Desks Offer Mixed Health Benefits, Studies Suggest

As of August 18th, 2025, recent studies have presented a mixed picture on the health benefits of sit-stand desks. Proponents argue that standing makes the heart work harder, improving cardiovascular health, enhancing attention, and reducing fatigue. Physiotherapists also claim that standing improves posture and reduces lower back pain. Some studies even suggest that standing workers report lower stress and greater happiness than sitters.

However, a comprehensive review of over 50 studies found only weak evidence that sit-stand desks improve cardiovascular health. While users' heart rates were slightly elevated, there were no notable differences in blood pressure or oxygen efficiency. Analysis of other health markers like glucose, insulin, and cholesterol also showed no significant improvements.

Improvements in energy, attention, and mood were similarly difficult to confirm. But the reviews did find notable benefits in the area of lower back pain. Around half of the studies showed that giving participants the option to stand significantly reduced their lower back discomfort, an effect that may be more pronounced in older age groups.

So as of August 2025, the evidence suggests that sit-stand desks do not provide the sweeping health benefits some had hoped for, but they may help alleviate lower back pain for certain users. The jury is still out on their broader metabolic and cognitive impacts.