Physical Activity in Lawyers: Factors Affecting Musculoskeletal Pain

September 14, 2026 updated by: Aleyna Özdamar Yücel, Suleyman Demirel University

Determination of Factors Affecting Musculoskeletal Pain in Lawyers With Different Physical Activity Levels

This study aims to determine the prevalence and distribution of musculoskeletal pain among lawyers registered with the Isparta Bar Association, specifically in relation to their varying levels of physical activity. The data obtained will help establish the relationships between physical activity levels, occupational factors, stress, and job satisfaction, thereby providing a foundation for developing personalized and preventive physiotherapy approaches for this specific population. Furthermore, the study will serve as a guiding resource for the ergonomic improvement of lawyers' working conditions and the formulation of occupational health policies.

H1: There is a statistically significant relationship between lawyers' physical activity levels and the frequency, distribution, and severity of musculoskeletal pain in various anatomical regions of the body.

H2: Physical activity level, perceived stress, occupational burnout, and job satisfaction levels are significant predictors of musculoskeletal pain among lawyers.

H3: There is a statistically significant difference between lawyers' sociodemographic and professional characteristics (duration of employment, daily time spent at a desk and using a computer, etc.) and their perceived stress and job satisfaction scores.

H4: Musculoskeletal complaints and functional limitations are significantly higher among lawyers experiencing high levels of perceived stress and occupational burnout compared to the group reporting low stress and burnout.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Detailed Description

This study will be conducted under the auspices of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Isparta Süleyman Demirel University, involving volunteer lawyers registered with the Isparta Bar Association. All stages of the study will be carried out in accordance with academic ethical guidelines and scientific research standards. An "Informed Voluntary Consent Form" will be obtained from all participating lawyers.

The research protocol consists of two main stages. In Stage 1, "Baseline Assessment and Physical Activity Classification," participants' physical activity levels will be determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Based on the obtained MET-minute/week scores, the sample will be divided into groups: "Group 1: Those with High Physical Activity Levels" and "Group 2: Those with Low/Insufficient Physical Activity Levels."

In Stage 2, the "Comprehensive Clinical and Psychosocial Assessment Protocol," data will be collected using the Personal Information Form, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the Perceived Stress Scale. All data obtained during the study will be evaluated using statistical analysis methods, and the results will be reported in detail.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

102

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 Backup

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

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of volunteer lawyers registered with the Isparta Bar Association who are actively practicing law, have at least five years of professional experience, and are between the ages of 25 and 65.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • To be registered with the Isparta Bar Association.
  • To be actively practicing law.
  • To have signed the "Informed Voluntary Consent Form" for participation in the research.
  • To have at least 5 years of professional experience.
  • To be between the ages of 25 and 65.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Having a diagnosed serious neurological or rheumatological disease.
  • Having undergone major orthopedic surgery within the last 6 months.
  • Having a diagnosed psychological disorder.
  • Having cognitive-perceptual impairment severe enough to hinder understanding or answering questions-scoring below 24 on the Mini-Mental State Examination.

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 1: Those with a high level of physical activity
The study is designed as a descriptive, cross-sectional survey. Data will be collected using the Personal Information Form, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and the Perceived Stress Scale. The study is based on voluntary participation and does not involve any intervention or treatment.
Group 2: Those with Low/Insufficient Physical Activity Levels
The study is designed as a descriptive, cross-sectional survey. Data will be collected using the Personal Information Form, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and the Perceived Stress Scale. The study is based on voluntary participation and does not involve any intervention or treatment.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ):
Time Frame: Day 1
The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) will be used to determine the participants' physical activity levels. The criterion for evaluating activity is based on the requirement that each activity be performed for a minimum of 10 minutes; a "MET-minute/week" score-representing energy expenditure relative to basal metabolic rate-is obtained by multiplying the duration (in minutes) by the number of days.
Day 1

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire
Time Frame: Day 1

articipants' musculoskeletal complaints, the distribution of pain across body regions, and the impact of such pain on activities of daily living will be assessed using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ).

The questionnaire consists of items inquiring about nine anatomical regions: neck, shoulders, upper back, elbows, lower back, wrists/hands, hips/thighs, knees, and ankles/feet. For each region, participants are asked the following three key questions:

  1. Have you experienced pain, discomfort, or stiffness in this region within the last 12 months?
  2. Have you been prevented from performing normal work or household activities due to this pain within the last 12 months?
  3. Have you experienced pain or discomfort in this region within the last 7 days?

A binary (dichotomous) scoring system-"Yes" (1 point) or "No" (0 points)-is used for each question. Evaluations are conducted separately for each region based on frequency and percentage (%). Rather than calculating a total score,
Day 1
Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire
Time Frame: Day 1

The Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) will be used to determine the participants' levels of job satisfaction.

The scale is a short form consisting of 20 items and utilizes a 5-point Likert-type rating scale ranging from "1: Not at all satisfied" to "5: Very satisfied." The scale allows for the analysis of an individual's job satisfaction across three distinct dimensions:

Intrinsic Satisfaction (12 items): Refers to the satisfaction derived from the nature of the work itself (achievement, recognition, responsibility, utilization of abilities, activity, independence, social service, moral values, and authority) (items 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, and 20).

Extrinsic Satisfaction (6 items): Refers to the satisfaction stemming from the environmental conditions of the job (pay, advancement, supervision, company policies, coworkers, and social status) (items 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, and 19).

General Satisfaction (20 items): A score reflecting the individual's overall attitude towar
Day 1
Maslach Burnout Inventory
Time Frame: Day 1

The participants' burnout levels will be assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI).

The scale consists of a total of 22 items and utilizes a 7-point Likert-type rating scale ranging from "0: Never" to "6: Every day."

The scale evaluates burnout across three distinct sub-dimensions:

Emotional Exhaustion (9 items): Reflects the individual feeling overloaded and emotionally depleted due to their work (items 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 13, 14, 16, 20).

Depersonalization (5 items): Refers to the individual adopting a callous and emotionally detached attitude toward the people they serve (items 5, 10, 11, 15, 22).

Reduced Personal Accomplishment (8 items): Assesses the individual's perception of inadequacy in their work and a diminished sense of achievement (items 4, 7, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 21).

No total score is calculated for the scale; each sub-dimension is scored independently. High scores on the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization sub-dimensions, combined with low scores on the pers
Day 1
Perceived Stress Scale
Time Frame: Day 1

The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) will be used to determine the participants' stress levels and their perceptions of coping with stress over the past month.

The scale consists of a total of 14 items and utilizes a 5-point Likert-type rating scale ranging from "0: Never" to "4: Very often." The scale comprises two sub-dimensions:

Perceived Insufficient Self-Efficacy (7 items): Consists of items 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 13, which assess the individual's perception of their ability to cope with stress (these items are reverse-scored).

Perceived Stress/Distress (7 items): Consists of items 1, 2, 3, 8, 11, 12, and 14, which measure the individual's reactions to sources of stress in their life.

The total score on the scale ranges from 0 to 56. A higher score indicates an increase in the individual's perceived stress level.
Day 1

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Suleyman Demirel 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)

September 30, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

November 30, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

January 30, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 14, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 14, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

September 18, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 18, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 14, 2026

Last Verified

September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • SüleymanDU-122/19

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

The data for the primary and secondary objectives of the research will be compared after they are received.

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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