No Disease or Condition is Being StudiedNCT06781580
Ergonomic Protocol for Competitive E-Sport Athletes
A study testing Esports Ergonomic Protocol in people with No Disease or Condition is Being Studied, run by University of Nevada, Las Vegas at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if this ergonomic protocol can improve performance and reduce ergonomic risk in esports athletes. It will also learn about the insight of esports athletes and their experience in implementing this new protocol. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- No Disease or Condition is Being Studied
- What is being tested?
- Esports Ergonomic Protocol
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 12 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2025to Apr 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 18+ years old
- Primarily participates in PC games(s) using mouse and keyboard for at least a year
- Plays at least 10 hours a week
- Must be affiliated with an established Esports team or organization
- Must have transportation
Who cannot join
- Individuals currently receiving treatment for self-reported pain related to prolonged gaming
- Those with a history of surgical procedures in the upper extremities
- Individuals with cognitive impairments
- Individuals with a history of a neck, shoulder, wrist, and/or back injury
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89154
Victoria Bernabae, 702-895-1811, mariavictoria.bernabe@unlv.edu
Nicole Bayreder, (702) 895 4133, nicole.bayreder@unlv.edu
About this study
Official title: The Effectiveness of an Ergonomic Protocol in Reducing Ergonomic Risk and Improving Performance for Competitive E-Sport Athletes
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if this ergonomic protocol can improve performance and reduce ergonomic risk in esports athletes. It will also learn about the insight of esports athletes and their experience in implementing this new protocol. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does this ergonomic protocol improve performance? Does this ergonomic protocol reduce ergonomic risk?
Read more
Researchers will assign the protocol to esports athletes who meet inclusion criteria and express interest in participating in the study. A pre-post design will be conducted to note any differences.
Participants will:
- Participate in a 6-week study with 4 in-person visits
- Volunteers will be requested to participate in a focus group during Week 6.
- Implement the strengthening protocol 3x a week and a warm up/cool down protocol before and after each gaming session.
- Attend one educational session about gaming ergonomics during Week 1
- Complete the Rapid Entire Body Assessment, Kovaaks Asessment, and a Questionnaire during Week Zero, Week 3, and Week 6.
Read the detailed description
- Recruitment will occur via snowballing, word-of-mouth, flyers, emails, and social media posts
- Potential participants will complete a general Demographic questionnaire via Qualtrics as part of the inclusion criteria, collecting information such as age, race, type of gaming input they use (mouse and keyboard or controller), gaming experience, and any self-reported symptoms of musculoskeletal issues from prolonged gaming if any.
- Potential participants will be contacted within 48 hours of completing the demographic survey informing them of whether or not they are eligible.
- Eligible participants will complete informed consent via Zoom after 3 days of being informed of eligibility for the study by the student researcher 1 week prior to beginning the study. Potential participants will have 48 hours to make a decision on whether or not they would like to participate in the study.
- Week Zero of the study will commence and baseline assessments will be performed in person at either Black Fire Innovation or the Tonopah Lounge based on participate convenience, using REBA to assess ergonomic risks and Kovaaks to assess current gaming performance. A questionnaire exploring their current knowledge via Qualtrics in ergonomics will also be provided during this first visit. Participants will be given a scheduled time to show up for this part of data collection.
- During week one, the student researcher will deliver the supplemental educational component and the ergonomic protocol in person at the Tonapah Lounge. The educational module and ergonomic protocol will be attached. This session will approximately take about 45 minutes to an hour to deliver all information. All information will be found on a website created by the student researcher as a hub for all information taught and implemented during this visit. Handouts of the protocol will also be provided.
- During week three, the student researcher will conduct an in-person follow-up at the Tonapah Lounge or Black Fire Innovation depending on participant convenience assessing any changes in ergonomic risk and performance using REBA and Kovaaks which will approximately take about 60-90 minutes. Participants will be given a scheduled time to show up for this part of data collection.
- A second in-person follow-up will be conducted during week six using REBA and Kovaaks, and the focus group will be conducted at this time to explore their progress in the implementation of the protocol after gathering all objective data. This focus group will comprise of 5-7 volunteer participants who will be provided with an incentive of an additional $10 gift card to Steam, a gaming platform. This focus group will be conducted in a secure room at the Tonapah Lounge, separate from the shared space area. An audio recording of the session will be done for the duration of the session for the purpose of transcription. Participants will be assigned unique identifiers to uphold privacy and confidentiality. An audio recording of the session will be done on a password-protected device.
- A post-survey will also be distributed to all participants via Qualtrics at Week 6. This will take a total of 2-3 hours for the visit.
- A long-term follow-up will be conducted at Week 12. Participants will receive a questionnaire created on Qualtrics via email to explore adherence to the protocol.
- Conditions
- No Disease or Condition is Being Studied
- Being tested
- Esports Ergonomic Protocol
- Keywords
- Ergonomics, Esports athletes, Gamers, Gaming, Ergonomic protocol, Musculoskeletal disorders, Ergonomic risk, Performance, Repetitive strain injuries, Accuracy, Aim, Postural rehabilitation, Esports
- Medical subject headings
- Musculoskeletal Diseases, Cumulative Trauma Disorders, Episodic Ataxia, Type 1
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Esports Ergonomic ProtocolOther
Also called Gaming Ergonomics Intervention, Ergonomic Training for Esports Athletes
The Esports Ergonomic Protocol is a six-week intervention designed to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries and enhance gaming performance for esports athletes. It includes an educational session on ergonomics, focusing on proper posture, body mechanics, and workstation setup. The protocol also incorporates warm-up and cool-down exercises to prevent strain and improve flexibility, as well as a postural rehabilitation program targeting the upper extremities and core muscles.
Participants will attend four in-person sessions at specified intervals for ergonomic risk assessments (using REBA) and gaming performance evaluations (using Kovaaks). The intervention also features online resources, including exercise tutorials and ergonomic tips, to support adherence and long-term implementation. Feedback will be collected through post-intervention surveys and an optional focus group to refine the protocol for future use in the esports community.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Ergonomic Protocol for Esports Athletes | Experimental | This arm of the study involves the implementation of a six-week ergonomic protocol specifically designed for esports athletes who primarily use a PC setup (mouse and keyboard). The intervention includes an educational component on proper posture, warm-ups, and cool-down exercises, as well as a postural rehabilitation program to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries and improve gaming performance. Participants will attend four in-person sessions for assessments and training, with ergonomic risk and gaming performance evaluated at baseline, mid-point, and post-intervention. A focus group and long-term follow-up questionnaire will also be included to gather feedback and assess adherence to the protocol. Receives: Other: Esports Ergonomic Protocol |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)
The REBA is a standardized ergonomic assessment tool used to evaluate the risk of musculoskeletal strain associated with specific body postures and tasks. In this study, the REBA is used to analyze the participants' gaming postures, focusing on key areas such as the neck, back, shoulders, arms, and wrists. Scores are generated based on observed postures and movements, with higher scores indicating greater ergonomic risk. This outcome measure helps identify and quantify changes in participants' ergonomic risk levels before, during, and after the intervention.
Measured: At intervals throughout the 6 week cycle.
Kovaaks
Kovaaks is a gaming performance training and evaluation software designed for esports athletes. It provides customizable scenarios to assess and improve critical gaming skills, such as aim, accuracy, and reaction time. In this study, Kovaaks is used as an objective measure to track changes in participants' gaming performance over the six-week protocol. Metrics such as actions per minute (APM), accuracy percentages, and reaction times are recorded to evaluate the impact of the ergonomic intervention on performance outcomes.
Measured: At intervals throughout the 6 week cycle.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Jan 2025
- Study start1 Feb 2025
- Primary completionApr 2025 (estimated)
- Study completionApr 2025 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for No Disease or Condition is Being StudiedStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Donnamarie Krause, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06781580
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UNLV-2024-426
- Status last verified
- Feb 2025
- First submitted
- 13 Jan 2025
- Last updated
- 27 Feb 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Breach of informed consent.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Feb 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effectiveness of an Ergonomic Protocol in Reducing Ergonomic Risk and Improving Performance for Competitive E-Sport Athletes
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06781580
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UNLV-2024-426
- Conditions
- No Disease or Condition is Being Studied
- Keywords
- Ergonomics, Esports athletes, Gamers, Gaming, Ergonomic protocol, Musculoskeletal disorders, Ergonomic risk, Performance
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Nevada, Las VegasUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Apr 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Apr 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 17 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if this ergonomic protocol can improve performance and reduce ergonomic risk in esports athletes. It will also learn about the insight of esports athletes and their experience in implementing this new protocol. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does this ergonomic protocol improve performance? Does this ergonomic protocol reduce ergonomic risk?
Researchers will assign the protocol to esports athletes who meet inclusion criteria and express interest in participating in the study. A pre-post design will be conducted to note any differences.
Participants will:
- Participate in a 6-week study with 4 in-person visits
- Volunteers will be requested to participate in a focus group during Week 6.
- Implement the strengthening protocol 3x a week and a warm up/cool down protocol before and after each gaming session.
- Attend one educational session about gaming ergonomics during Week 1
- Complete the Rapid Entire Body Assessment, Kovaaks Asessment, and a Questionnaire during Week Zero, Week 3, and Week 6.
Detailed description
- Recruitment will occur via snowballing, word-of-mouth, flyers, emails, and social media posts
- Potential participants will complete a general Demographic questionnaire via Qualtrics as part of the inclusion criteria, collecting information such as age, race, type of gaming input they use (mouse and keyboard or controller), gaming experience, and any self-reported symptoms of musculoskeletal issues from prolonged gaming if any.
- Potential participants will be contacted within 48 hours of completing the demographic survey informing them of whether or not they are eligible.
- Eligible participants will complete informed consent via Zoom after 3 days of being informed of eligibility for the study by the student researcher 1 week prior to beginning the study. Potential participants will have 48 hours to make a decision on whether or not they would like to participate in the study.
- Week Zero of the study will commence and baseline assessments will be performed in person at either Black Fire Innovation or the Tonopah Lounge based on participate convenience, using REBA to assess ergonomic risks and Kovaaks to assess current gaming performance. A questionnaire exploring their current knowledge via Qualtrics in ergonomics will also be provided during this first visit. Participants will be given a scheduled time to show up for this part of data collection.
- During week one, the student researcher will deliver the supplemental educational component and the ergonomic protocol in person at the Tonapah Lounge. The educational module and ergonomic protocol will be attached. This session will approximately take about 45 minutes to an hour to deliver all information. All information will be found on a website created by the student researcher as a hub for all information taught and implemented during this visit. Handouts of the protocol will also be provided.
- During week three, the student researcher will conduct an in-person follow-up at the Tonapah Lounge or Black Fire Innovation depending on participant convenience assessing any changes in ergonomic risk and performance using REBA and Kovaaks which will approximately take about 60-90 minutes. Participants will be given a scheduled time to show up for this part of data collection.
- A second in-person follow-up will be conducted during week six using REBA and Kovaaks, and the focus group will be conducted at this time to explore their progress in the implementation of the protocol after gathering all objective data. This focus group will comprise of 5-7 volunteer participants who will be provided with an incentive of an additional $10 gift card to Steam, a gaming platform. This focus group will be conducted in a secure room at the Tonapah Lounge, separate from the shared space area. An audio recording of the session will be done for the duration of the session for the purpose of transcription. Participants will be assigned unique identifiers to uphold privacy and confidentiality. An audio recording of the session will be done on a password-protected device.
- A post-survey will also be distributed to all participants via Qualtrics at Week 6. This will take a total of 2-3 hours for the visit.
- A long-term follow-up will be conducted at Week 12. Participants will receive a questionnaire created on Qualtrics via email to explore adherence to the protocol.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Ergonomic Protocol for Esports Athletes | Experimental | Other: Esports Ergonomic ProtocolThis arm of the study involves the implementation of a six-week ergonomic protocol specifically designed for esports athletes who primarily use a PC setup (mouse and keyboard). The intervention includes an educational component on proper posture, warm-ups, and cool-down exercises, as well as a postural rehabilitation program to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries and improve gaming performance. Participants will attend four in-person sessions for assessments and training, with ergonomic risk and gaming performance evaluated at baseline, mid-point, and post-intervention. A focus group and long-term follow-up questionnaire will also be included to gather feedback and assess adherence to the protocol. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 18+ years old
- Primarily participates in PC games(s) using mouse and keyboard for at least a year
- Plays at least 10 hours a week
- Must be affiliated with an established Esports team or organization
- Must have transportation
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Individuals currently receiving treatment for self-reported pain related to prolonged gaming
- Those with a history of surgical procedures in the upper extremities
- Individuals with cognitive impairments
- Individuals with a history of a neck, shoulder, wrist, and/or back injury
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Esports Ergonomic ProtocolAlso: Gaming Ergonomics Intervention, Ergonomic Training for Esports AthletesThe Esports Ergonomic Protocol is a six-week intervention designed to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries and enhance gaming performance for esports athletes. It includes an educational session on ergonomics, focusing on proper posture, body mechanics, and workstation setup. The protocol also incorporates warm-up and cool-down exercises to prevent strain and improve flexibility, as well as a postural rehabilitation program targeting the upper extremities and core muscles. Participants will attend four in-person sessions at specified intervals for ergonomic risk assessments (using REBA) and gaming performance evaluations (using Kovaaks). The intervention also features online resources, including exercise tutorials and ergonomic tips, to support adherence and long-term implementation. Feedback will be collected through post-intervention surveys and an optional focus group to refine the protocol for future use in the esports community. | Other | Ergonomic Protocol for Esports Athletes |
Primary outcome
Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)
Time frame: At intervals throughout the 6 week cycle.
The REBA is a standardized ergonomic assessment tool used to evaluate the risk of musculoskeletal strain associated with specific body postures and tasks. In this study, the REBA is used to analyze the participants' gaming postures, focusing on key areas such as the neck, back, shoulders, arms, and wrists. Scores are generated based on observed postures and movements, with higher scores indicating greater ergonomic risk. This outcome measure helps identify and quantify changes in participants' ergonomic risk levels before, during, and after the intervention.
Kovaaks
Time frame: At intervals throughout the 6 week cycle.
Kovaaks is a gaming performance training and evaluation software designed for esports athletes. It provides customizable scenarios to assess and improve critical gaming skills, such as aim, accuracy, and reaction time. In this study, Kovaaks is used as an objective measure to track changes in participants' gaming performance over the six-week protocol. Metrics such as actions per minute (APM), accuracy percentages, and reaction times are recorded to evaluate the impact of the ergonomic intervention on performance outcomes.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 Feb 2025.
- Information hub including educational component of the study and the protocol.Link provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Breach of informed consent.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Esports Ergonomic Protocol in people with No Disease or Condition is Being Studied, run by University of Nevada, Las Vegas at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Feb 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Althea Rivera ((702) 215 1588, rivera21@unlv.nevada.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) (time frame: At intervals throughout the 6 week cycle.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Feb 2025.