Musculoskeletal StrainNCT06938958
Ergonomic Challenges for Surgeons; The Problem and Solutions
An observational study of Musculoskeletal Strain and Ergonomics, run by University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust at 1 site in United Kingdom.
Trial summary
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are highly prevalent among surgeons. Despite growing awareness, there remains a lack of detailed data on the specific postures that contribute to ergonomic risk, particularly within General Surgery. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Musculoskeletal Strain, Ergonomics, Posture
- What is being tested?
- Video and Motion Analysis
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- 1 Jun 2025to Aug 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- 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 Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Study population: Surgeons Performing Major Upper GI Surgery at University Hosptials Plymouth NHS Trust
Who may be able to join
- Surgeons performing gastro-intestinal (GI) surgery
- Surgeons assisting GI surgery
- Open, laparoscopic and robotic GI operation
- Informed consent from surgeon
- Informed consent from patient
Who cannot join
- Pre-existing severe practice-limiting musculoskeletal disorder
- Surgeon not consenting to participation
- Patient not consenting to participation
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United Kingdom1 site
Derriford Hospital
Plymouth, Devon, PL6 8DH
Alexander Bush, BMBS, 07979786599, alexander.bush@nhs.net
About this study
Official title: Characterisation of the Postures Encountered During Surgery and Development of Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Developing Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Surgeons
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are highly prevalent among surgeons. Despite growing awareness, there remains a lack of detailed data on the specific postures that contribute to ergonomic risk, particularly within General Surgery. This study aims to characterise postures encountered during open, laparoscopic, and robotic gastrointestinal procedures using wearable sensor technology and video analysis, to inform future ergonomic interventions and training.
A single-centre, prospective observational study of 30 surgical cases will be conducted at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. Participating surgeons will wear inertial measurement units (IMUs) to record real-time body segment position data whilst performing live surgery. A biomechanical model will then be used to calculate joint angles and whole body posture. Video recordings will be synchronised with IMU data to map posture to surgical tasks. Static and dynamic postures will be analysed using standard ergonomic assessment tools. Alternative tools tailored to surgery will be assessed and proposed. Surgeons will complete questionnaires pre- and post-operatively to report musculoskeletal symptoms. Outcomes will compare ergonomic risk across surgical techniques, identify high-risk procedural steps, and assess the acceptability of wearable technologies in the operating theatre. The data generated will also be used to evaluate, train or refine artificially intelligent camera-based pose estimation models for the operating theatre environment in order to make future ergonomics research and assessment more accessible.
Read the detailed description
Surgeons often spend long hours in physically demanding positions, which can lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) such as neck, shoulder, and back pain. These issues can impact a surgeon's well-being, career longevity, and surgical performance. This study aims to understand the ergonomic challenges surgeons face during major gastrointestinal (GI) surgeries, including open, laparoscopic (keyhole), and robotic procedures. By analysing their posture during operations, researchers hope to develop strategies to reduce the risk of injury.
The study will recruit general surgeons from University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust who perform or assist in GI surgeries. Using small motion sensors (Inertial Measurement Units, or IMUs) placed on the surgeons' bodies, researchers will track joint movements, body positions, and posture throughout different surgical techniques. This will help identify which postures and surgical steps are associated with the highest ergonomic risk. Video recordings of surgeries will also be collected to analyse movements and develop future training tools.
Surgeons will complete questionnaires before and after surgery to report any discomfort or pain. The study will compare different surgical techniques to determine which carries the highest risk of injury and which aspects of surgery contribute to poor ergonomics.
By identifying high-risk postures and steps within procedures, this research aims to provide recommendations for ergonomic improvements, such as better training, surgical workstation adjustments, or new tools to help surgeons maintain healthier postures. The results could lead to improved surgeon well-being, safer surgical practices, and longer career sustainability. Findings from this study will be used to develop educational materials and future research in surgical ergonomics.
This study is observational and does not require any changes to standard surgical practice. Both surgeons and patients will provide consent before participation, ensuring ethical research practices.
- Conditions
- Musculoskeletal Strain, Ergonomics, Posture
- Being tested
- Video and Motion Analysis
- Keywords
- Surgeons, Ergonomics, OR, Operating Room, Operating Theatre, Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Strain, Posture, IMU, Computer vision
- Medical subject headings
- Sprains and Strains
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Video and Motion AnalysisOther
- Measurements of joint angle, body segment position, static and dynamic postures and posture duration.
- Video of Surgeon and Procedure.
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Joint angle.
Joint angles (in degrees)
Measured: During the operative period, from initial incision to final closure.
Posture duration.
The duration of characterised postures (in minutes)
Measured: During the operative period, from incision to closure
Posture Variability
Angles (in degrees/minute)
Measured: During the operative period, from incision to closure
Ergonomic Risk
RULA Score will be calculated
Measured: During the operative period, from incision to closure
Secondary outcomes (5)
Compare open, laparoscopic and robotic techniques
Joint angles (in degrees)
Measured: During the operative period, from incision to closure
Compare open, laparoscopic and robotic techniques
Postural variability (in degrees/minute)
Measured: During the operative period, from incision to closure
Identify specific surgical procedures which carry high ergonomic risk
Musculoskeletal symptoms will be assessed pre, intra and post operatively using a self-reported modified Borg CR10 scale symptom questionnaire.
Sensor and symptom data will be correlated with procedure and technique type.
Measured: Pre-procedure, immediately post procedure and 24 hours after end of procedure.
Create a video library for use in development of educational/training/monitoring tools
Video footage of the surgeon will be recorded during the procedure and stored, both for postural assessment during this study and for the creation of a data set that can be used to create a camera vision-based system for further data collection, development of further research and training tools.
Measured: During the operative period, from incision to closure
Determine the acceptability of sensor-based methods for recording posture data during GI surgery
Surgeons will be surveyed regarding their experience of using IMUs for collecting posture data during surgery and this will be used to assess the acceptability of this technology for recording posture data for GI surgery.
Measured: During the operative period, from incision to closure
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Apr 2025
- Study start1 Jun 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completionDec 2025 (estimated)
- Study completionAug 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Musculoskeletal StrainStudies 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
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Plymouth
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06938958
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 24WBG122
- Other IDs
- 350363
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 7 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 22 Apr 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: An anonymised video and motion data library will be shared.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Apr 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Characterisation of the Postures Encountered During Surgery and Development of Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Developing Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Surgeons
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06938958
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 24WBG122
- Conditions
- Musculoskeletal Strain, Ergonomics, Posture
- Keywords
- Surgeons, Ergonomics, OR, Operating Room, Operating Theatre, Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Strain, Posture
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital Plymouth NHS TrustUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Plymouth
- Study start
- 1 Jun 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Aug 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 22 Apr 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.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are highly prevalent among surgeons. Despite growing awareness, there remains a lack of detailed data on the specific postures that contribute to ergonomic risk, particularly within General Surgery. This study aims to characterise postures encountered during open, laparoscopic, and robotic gastrointestinal procedures using wearable sensor technology and video analysis, to inform future ergonomic interventions and training.
A single-centre, prospective observational study of 30 surgical cases will be conducted at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. Participating surgeons will wear inertial measurement units (IMUs) to record real-time body segment position data whilst performing live surgery. A biomechanical model will then be used to calculate joint angles and whole body posture. Video recordings will be synchronised with IMU data to map posture to surgical tasks. Static and dynamic postures will be analysed using standard ergonomic assessment tools. Alternative tools tailored to surgery will be assessed and proposed. Surgeons will complete questionnaires pre- and post-operatively to report musculoskeletal symptoms. Outcomes will compare ergonomic risk across surgical techniques, identify high-risk procedural steps, and assess the acceptability of wearable technologies in the operating theatre. The data generated will also be used to evaluate, train or refine artificially intelligent camera-based pose estimation models for the operating theatre environment in order to make future ergonomics research and assessment more accessible.
Detailed description
Surgeons often spend long hours in physically demanding positions, which can lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) such as neck, shoulder, and back pain. These issues can impact a surgeon's well-being, career longevity, and surgical performance. This study aims to understand the ergonomic challenges surgeons face during major gastrointestinal (GI) surgeries, including open, laparoscopic (keyhole), and robotic procedures. By analysing their posture during operations, researchers hope to develop strategies to reduce the risk of injury.
The study will recruit general surgeons from University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust who perform or assist in GI surgeries. Using small motion sensors (Inertial Measurement Units, or IMUs) placed on the surgeons' bodies, researchers will track joint movements, body positions, and posture throughout different surgical techniques. This will help identify which postures and surgical steps are associated with the highest ergonomic risk. Video recordings of surgeries will also be collected to analyse movements and develop future training tools.
Surgeons will complete questionnaires before and after surgery to report any discomfort or pain. The study will compare different surgical techniques to determine which carries the highest risk of injury and which aspects of surgery contribute to poor ergonomics.
By identifying high-risk postures and steps within procedures, this research aims to provide recommendations for ergonomic improvements, such as better training, surgical workstation adjustments, or new tools to help surgeons maintain healthier postures. The results could lead to improved surgeon well-being, safer surgical practices, and longer career sustainability. Findings from this study will be used to develop educational materials and future research in surgical ergonomics.
This study is observational and does not require any changes to standard surgical practice. Both surgeons and patients will provide consent before participation, ensuring ethical research practices.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Surgeons Performing Major Upper GI Surgery at University Hosptials Plymouth NHS Trust
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Surgeons performing gastro-intestinal (GI) surgery
- Surgeons assisting GI surgery
- Open, laparoscopic and robotic GI operation
- Informed consent from surgeon
- Informed consent from patient
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Pre-existing severe practice-limiting musculoskeletal disorder
- Surgeon not consenting to participation
- Patient not consenting to participation
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Video and Motion Analysis1. Measurements of joint angle, body segment position, static and dynamic postures and posture duration. 2. Video of Surgeon and Procedure. | Other | – |
Primary outcome
Joint angle.
Time frame: During the operative period, from initial incision to final closure.
Joint angles (in degrees)
Posture duration.
Time frame: During the operative period, from incision to closure
The duration of characterised postures (in minutes)
Posture Variability
Time frame: During the operative period, from incision to closure
Angles (in degrees/minute)
Ergonomic Risk
Time frame: During the operative period, from incision to closure
RULA Score will be calculated
5 secondary outcomes
Compare open, laparoscopic and robotic techniques
Time frame: During the operative period, from incision to closure
Compare open, laparoscopic and robotic techniques
Time frame: During the operative period, from incision to closure
Identify specific surgical procedures which carry high ergonomic risk
Time frame: Pre-procedure, immediately post procedure and 24 hours after end of procedure.
Create a video library for use in development of educational/training/monitoring tools
Time frame: During the operative period, from incision to closure
Determine the acceptability of sensor-based methods for recording posture data during GI surgery
Time frame: During the operative period, from incision to closure
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 22 Apr 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. An anonymised video and motion data library will be shared.
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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?
An observational study of Musculoskeletal Strain and Ergonomics, run by University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust at 1 site in United Kingdom.
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 3 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Apr 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 Kingdom. 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 Alexander Bush, MBBS (01752 202082, alexander.bush@nhs.net), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Joint angle. (time frame: During the operative period, from initial incision to final closure.). The study lists 4 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 22 Apr 2025.