Researchers from Loughborough University are looking for a haulage, parcels or retail company to partner with for a research proposal designed to promote beneficial changes to the mental and physical health of delivery drivers. Earlier work by the team has highlighted that delivery drivers represent a high-risk occupational group, exhibiting high levels of overweight / obesity, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression and sleep deprivation. In this new project, the researchers are hoping to work with both van and HGV drivers to test the effectiveness of a low-cost multicomponent health-behaviour intervention.
The intervention will specifically target drivers’ mental health through the introduction of mindfulness-based training; fatigue, through the delivery of a structured sleep education programme designed specifically for delivery drivers; and to promote an increase in physical activity, known to lead to both physical and mental health benefits.
The intervention, which will last for 10 weeks, will be delivered and evaluated remotely to minimise participant and organisational burden while complying with current (changeable) COVID-19 policies (e.g. social distancing and/or local lockdowns). Data will be collected from drivers via online questionnaires, minimising employee time demands associated with participating in the study.
The research team will provide regular updates to the partner on the study progress, and group-level feedback on the health and wellbeing of their employees at the start and end of the study. The goal of this research is to develop a suite of sustainable, low-cost interventions, designed to positively impact drivers’ health and wellbeing. The researchers will ensure the interventions are sustainable and, on completion of the research, that it will be feasible to roll them out across their partners’ workforce and the wider road transport sector.
If you’re interested in learning more about the proposed research and / or partnering with Loughborough University, please contact Stacy Clemes (S.A.Clemes@lboro.ac.uk).