Efficacy of Telerehabilitation Intervention Program Using Telebiofeedback Among Computer Operators

June 20, 2011 updated by: Sheba Medical Center

In the recent decades, with technology development, computer workstation has become fundamental both at work and at home environments, and is now used routinely for many purposes. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are most often characterized by backaches, neck and upper extremities pain, discomfort and pain in joints, muscles and soft tissues. Since it has been found that many musculoskeletal disorders are connected, among others, to biomechanical and psychosocial factors relating to a person's work environment, the literature refers to them as Work Related MSD (WRMSD). Risk factors correlated with WRMSD include repetitive motions, awkward positions or static muscle loading over prolonged periods of time, use of high keystroke force, direct mechanical pressure, vibration and extreme temperatures. Computer operators found to be sitting statically for a long time in front of the computer and keyboard, with limited options of changing body position. Psychosocial factors have also been implicated in the workstation musculoskeletal disorders with computer operators. Workers with WRMSD may suffer from persistent pain, loss of function and work disability. Therefore, it may include changes in the employment and earnings for injured workers. The complex nature of these injuries suggests that workplace rehabilitation interventions are a crucial aspect of treatment management.

The main objective of this study is to explore the use of biofeedback intervention, based on tele-rehabilitation principle, with computer operators suffer from WRMSD. Treatment efficacy will be tested by use of RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) method. Data analysis will be done by ANOVA Repeated Measures.

Hypothesis: Biofeedback intervention, based on tele-rehabilitation principle, will be found effective with computer operators suffer from WRMSD.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

50

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Locations

  • Israel
      • Ramat Gan, Israel, 52621
        • Recruiting
        • Sheba Tel Hashomer hospital - upper limb rehabilitation center
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • yafi levanon, Phd

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

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 60 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • computer operators who spend more than 4 hours a day working with computer
  • computer operators who suffer from pain and inconvenience or injury in upper limbs, such as Lateral Epicondylitis, de Quervain disease, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome, Flexor-Extensor peritendinitis or teno-synovitis of the forearm-wrist region.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • subjects who suffer from neurological injuries
  • subjects who suffer from orthopedic injuries or other metabolic or autoimmune diseases, that cause joint oedema or hand numbness (pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease and arthritis).

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

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: telebiofeedback
Device: surface electromyography
Surface electromyography (SEMG) telebiofeedback
Device: surface electromyography
conventional biofeedback
Active Comparator: biofeedback
Device: surface electromyography
Surface electromyography (SEMG) telebiofeedback
Device: surface electromyography
conventional biofeedback

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Posture at work environment measured by Rapid Upper LImb Assessment (RULA)
Time Frame: 15 months
15 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) - pain and inconvenience
Time Frame: 15 months
15 months

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Sheba Medical Center

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Merav Golombowicz, BOT, Upper Limb Rehabilitation Center

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

August 1, 2010

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

October 1, 2011

Study Completion (Anticipated)

October 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 9, 2010

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 9, 2010

First Posted (Estimate)

August 10, 2010

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

June 21, 2011

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 20, 2011

Last Verified

June 1, 2011

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • SHEBA-10-7334-RP-CTIL

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 Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Clinical Trials on surface electromyography

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Dominican Republic

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe