Physical Activity Levels and Musculoskeletal Health Among Health Science Academicians at Istanbul Aydin University (PA-ACAD-IAU)

February 25, 2026 updated by: FATMA ÇAVDARCI, Istanbul Aydın University

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH POSTURE, SLEEP QUALITY, DEPRESSION, AND MUSCULOSKELETAL PROBLEMS AMONG HEALTH SCIENCE ACADEMICIANS AT ISTANBUL AYDIN UNIVERSITY

This study aims to investigate the relationship between physical activity levels and posture, sleep quality, depression, and musculoskeletal system problems among academic staff working in the health sciences field at Istanbul Aydın University.

Modern technological developments and sedentary work patterns have significantly reduced daily physical activity levels. Academic personnel often spend long hours sitting, preparing lectures, conducting research, and using computers, which may negatively affect posture and increase the risk of musculoskeletal pain. Reduced physical activity has also been associated with poor sleep quality and increased depressive symptoms.

This cross-sectional study will include academic staff aged 23-65 years working in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Participation will be voluntary. Data will be collected using a sociodemographic information form and validated assessment tools, including the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ), New York Posture Rating Chart, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire.

The primary objective is to evaluate whether physical activity levels are associated with posture, sleep quality, depression levels, and musculoskeletal complaints. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of preventive strategies aimed at improving occupational health, well-being, and quality of life among academic personnel.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This study is designed as a cross-sectional, quantitative observational study conducted at Istanbul Aydın University. The target population consists of academic staff working in the Faculty of Health Sciences between the ages of 23 and 65 years. Participation will be voluntary, and written informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to data collection.

Sociodemographic variables including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), educational level, weekly working hours, years of professional experience, smoking status, and caffeine consumption will be recorded. Physical activity levels will be assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Total metabolic equivalent (MET) scores will be calculated according to standardized scoring procedures, and participants will be categorized into low, moderate, and high physical activity levels.

Postural assessment will be performed using the New York Posture Rating Chart. Sleep quality will be evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), where higher total scores indicate poorer sleep quality. Depressive symptoms will be measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Musculoskeletal complaints will be assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, which evaluates the presence of pain in different body regions.

Statistical analyses will be performed using IBM SPSS software. Normality of data distribution will be assessed using appropriate tests. Parametric or non-parametric tests will be applied accordingly, including independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis, chi-square test, and regression analysis where appropriate. Statistical significance will be set at p < 0.05.

The study aims to identify potential associations between physical activity levels and posture, sleep quality, depression, and musculoskeletal problems, thereby contributing to occupational health research and the development of preventive health strategies for academic staff.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
73

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: Fatma Cavdarcı, PhD Candidate
  • Phone Number: +905374590918
  • Email: cvdrcftm@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of academicians working in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Istanbul Aydın University. Participants are between 23 and 65 years of age and have at least one year of academic experience. The study targets voluntary academic staff without severe psychiatric disorders or major musculoskeletal conditions requiring medical treatment.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Academicians working in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Istanbul Aydın University
  • Aged between 23 and 65 years
  • At least 1 year of academic experience
  • Voluntary agreement to participate and signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia)
  • Pregnancy
  • Use of antipsychotic medication
  • History of recent trauma or surgical operation within the last year
  • Severe musculoskeletal disorders requiring medical or surgical treatment (e.g., advanced scoliosis or kyphosis)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Health Sciences Academic Staff
This cohort includes academic staff working in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Istanbul Aydın University. Participants are between 23 and 65 years of age and will complete validated questionnaires assessing physical activity, posture, sleep quality, depression, and musculoskeletal complaints. No intervention will be applied. This is an observational cross-sectional study with a single group.
Other: Observational Data Collection
No intervention is applied in this study. Participants will complete validated questionnaires assessing physical activity, posture, sleep quality, depression, and musculoskeletal complaints. This is an observational cross-sectional assessment study.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Physical Activity Level (IPAQ-SF Total MET-min/week Score)
Time Frame: At baseline (single assessment)
Total physical activity level will be assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The total MET-minutes per week score will be calculated according to IPAQ scoring guidelines.
At baseline (single assessment)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Posture Score (New York Posture Rating Chart)
Time Frame: At baseline (single assessment)
Postural alignment will be evaluated using the New York Posture Rating Chart. Total posture score will be calculated according to standardized scoring criteria.
At baseline (single assessment)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Istanbul Aydın University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Chair: Gozde Basbug, MD, PhD, Istanbul Aydın University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 25, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 25, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
March 3, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 3, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 25, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • IAU-ACAD-PA-2026-01

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Depression

Clinical Trials on Observational Data Collection

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings