Standing desks have become popular in recent years as companies try to change their workers' sedentary lifestyle and reduce the risk of health issues including diabetes and heart disease. However, a new meta study shows that while sitting all day can cause many health problems there is no solid proof that methods such as standing desks result in healthier employees.

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The medical review was published in the Cochrane Library.

Researchers reviewed 20 past studies that focused on different methods for keeping people on their feet more during the workday such as standing meetings. They included over 2,170 volunteers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe.

Six of the studies were on standing desks. They showed that people increased the average time on their feet from half an hour to two hours, according to ABC News.

However, the sample size was small so the researchers could not strongly recommend standing desks over traditional desks. They did report that while standing desks caused people to do more activities such as taking a break by going for a walk, they only had a small decrease in sitting time during the workday.

Nipun Shrestha works at the Health Research and Social Development Forum in Nepal. He wrote in a statement it is unclear how much short-term help sit-stand desks can provide to cause workers to sit less.

Shrestha pointed out that standing desks are becoming more popular in offices, but there is limited evidence that such furniture can provide people with health benefits.

The researcher argued that more studies are needed to learn if standing desks can help many types of people. Co-author Jos Verbeek added it was unclear whether just standing rather than sitting made workers healthier.

Verbeek wrote that standing does not cause people to use much more energy than sitting. Therefore, people should not expect to lose much weight by using sit-stand desks.

In related news health services company Vitality Group recently unveiled a new program that helps employees to purchase a $25 Apple Watch, according to Fortune. Workers must maintain their monthly fitness for two years to get the cheap wearable, or refund their employers for the full price.

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