Effects of Preventive Physiotherapy Practices on Posture and Work-Related Functions in Office Workers

April 6, 2022 updated by: Nilufer Keskin Dilbay, Marmara University

Effects of Preventive Physiotherapy Practices on Forward Head Posture and Upper Extremity Work-Related Functions in Office Workers

In this study; aimed to determine an individual-centered, effective physiotherapy method to reduce the negative impacts of the forward head posture on work-related functions and to increase body awareness and functionality among office workers. In addition, aimed to reduce the loss of work with measures to improve the quality and efficiency of work.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of preventive physiotherapy practices on work related musculoskeletal disorders in office workers.

With this purpose, in this study; aimed to achieve improvement on forward head posture, upper extremity functions and cervical pain reduction through three interventions (supervised EMG biofeedback exercise training, home-based exercise program and posture training/ergonomic regulations). Work related changes in muscle activation of Upper Trapezius and posture will be evaluated while working on a computer task in actual work environment. Differences in posture and muscle activation between computer task and resting position, will be determined before and after the intervention.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

30

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

  • Turkey
    • Istanbul
      • Maltepe, Istanbul, Turkey, 1464185881
        • Marmara University Faculty of Health Sciences

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

22 years to 40 years (ADULT)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age below 40, Full-time and regular employees in the last 1 year,
  • Office workers using computers at desk for at least 3 hours per day
  • According to RULA, working in a posture that above acceptable level,
  • No trauma history
  • Non-specific neck pain but no chronic conditions of cervical spine and upper extremity

Exclusion Criteria:

  • During the study; need of receiving a treatment/ interventions for the upper body due to trauma or any other conditions is concluded with withdraw from the study

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: PREVENTION
  • Allocation: RANDOMIZED
  • Interventional Model: PARALLEL
  • Masking: NONE

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
ACTIVE_COMPARATOR: Supervised EMG Biofeedback Exercise Training Group
Frequency: 3/week Duration:6 weeks Dosage: Tolerable intensity-dependent increase in exercises program.
Behavioral: Supervised EMG Biofeedback Exercise Training Group
Posture training and ergonomic arrangements in the workplace. EMG biofeedback training will be carried out with electromyography-controlled video game combined with PNF exercises. Each game sessions comprising the work-rest cycle covers performing the upper trapezius muscle contraction simultaneously the upper extremity PNF patterns.
ACTIVE_COMPARATOR: Home-Based Exercise Training Group
Frequency: 3/week Duration:6 weeks Dosage: Tolerable intensity-dependent increase in exercises program.
Behavioral: Home-Based Exercise Training Group
Posture training and ergonomic arrangements in the workplace. Posture correction exercises, contains strengthening, stretching, mobility and relaxation exercises, will be given as a home exercises program. Exercise diary and weekly calls will be use to maintain the exercise adherence
SHAM_COMPARATOR: Posture Training/Ergonomic Regulations Group
1 session, no further intervention until second evaluation for 6 weeks.
Behavioral: Posture Training/Ergonomic Regulations Group
Posture training and ergonomic arrangements in the workplace.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC)
Time Frame: 10 minutes
It is assessed by Surface Electromyography (sEMG) for upper trapezius muscle. 3 maximum contractions are performed for 6 seconds at the manual muscle testing position. The maximum value among 3 repeats is recorded as Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) (mV).
10 minutes
Muscle Activation of Upper Trapezius
Time Frame: 30 minutes
It is the measurement of the Electromyographic activity of trapezius muscles during functional tasks and rest. According to The Surface ElectroMyoGraphy for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles Project (SENIAM) recommendations for sensors and sensor placement procedures, sEMG will be applied for the upper trapezius muscles while resting and also performing the computer task in workplace. The mean values (mV) obtained are normalized according to MVIC. Normalized data (%MVIC) are used in the statistical analysis.
30 minutes
Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) / Forward Head Posture
Time Frame: 10 minutes
The CROM Deluxe is an assessment instrument that lets to measure sagittal, frontal and horizontal plane movements (flexion / extension, lateral flexion, rotation and forward head posture), while resting and also performing a task or work posture.
10 minutes

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Constant-Murley Score (CMS)
Time Frame: 10 minutes
The Constant-Murley Score (CMS) is a widely used scale to measure pain, mobility and the ability to carry out the normal daily activities in various shoulder conditions/ pathologies.
10 minutes
Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA)
Time Frame: 10 minutes
The RULA Assessment Tool is used to evaluate the ergonomic risk factors associated with neck, trunk and upper extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD). The RULA considers biomechanical and postural load requirements of job demands. Scores between 1-7 are classified from "acceptable posture" (no action required) to "very high risk" (implement change now).
10 minutes
The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (DASH)
Time Frame: 10 minutes
The DASH is a self reported questionnaire; assesses the parameters of daily life, pain, weakness, social functions, work, sleep and self-confidence associated with the upper extremity of the individual.
10 minutes
The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score Work Module (DASH-W)
Time Frame: 2 minutes
Work Module (DASH-W) is the second part of the DASH questionnaire, which consists of 4 questions, determines one's disability in working life.
2 minutes
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Time Frame: 10 minutes
The NDI is a self-reported scale consists of pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headache, concentration, work, driving, sleeping and leisure time activities sections. The total score varies between 0-50 and the increase in total score indicates the increase in the severity of the neck disability.
10 minutes
Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPAD)
Time Frame: 10 minutes
The NPAD is a self-reported index which measure the intensity of neck pain during different conditions and activities and related effects of pain on occupational, recreational, social, daily living activities and its relationship with emotional factors. Pain-related data are obtained by marking on visual analogue scales of 20 items.
10 minutes

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Marmara University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Nilufer Keskin Dilbay, PT, MSc, Marmara University
  • Study Director: Zafer Erden, PT PhD Prof., Hacettepe 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 (ACTUAL)

August 26, 2019

Primary Completion (ACTUAL)

February 15, 2020

Study Completion (ACTUAL)

September 13, 2021

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 1, 2019

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 11, 2019

First Posted (ACTUAL)

December 13, 2019

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (ACTUAL)

April 14, 2022

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 6, 2022

Last Verified

April 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 09.2018.282

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

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.

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