Low Back PainNCT07250568
Office Program Effects on Pain, Posture, Muscle Physiology, Stress, Ergonomics, and Quality of Life in LBP Workers
A study testing Exercise, Education and Advice in people with Low Back Pain, run by Suci Wahyu Ismiyasa at 1 site in Indonesia.
Trial summary
This interventional study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an office worker's program in reducing low back pain and improving physical and psychosocial outcomes among office employees. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 58 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Low Back Pain
- What is being tested?
- Exercise, Education and Advice
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteIndonesia
- Study dates
- 23 Mar 2026to 1 Aug 2026
- 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 to 58 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Identified LBP
- Age between 18 - 60 years old
- In the office, working in front computer/laptop minimum along 4 hours per day
- Able to ambulate independently with or without walking aids
- Controlled comorbidity e.g. DM, HPT, managed asthma and controlled thyroid conditions
Who cannot join
- Recumbent
- Cancer, spinal fracture, neurological disorder (stroke, PBI and soon)
- Participation in a current fitness program designed to prevent LBP recurrence
- Spinal operation within the last six months
- Pregnant
- Medication (steroid therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, muscle relaxants, antidepressants or anxiolytics)
- Insufficient to finish outcome measurements and exercise program
- Participants who do not attend 3 consecutive weeks or 8 consecutive times
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Indonesia1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta
Depok, West Java, 16514
Suci Wahyu Ismiyasa, +6285219163441, suciwahyuismiyasa@gmail.com
Zarina Zahari, Phd, +6013-2094170, zarinazahari@uitm.edu.my
About this study
Official title: Effects of Exercise, Posture Education, and Standing Advice on Pain, Lumbar Posture, Core Stability, Flexibility, Fatigue, Endurance, Ergonomics, Stress, and Quality of Life in Office Workers With Low Back Pain: A Three-Arm RCT
This interventional study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an office worker's program in reducing low back pain and improving physical and psychosocial outcomes among office employees. The primary objective is to determine the effects of the intervention on pain, lumbar posture, muscle physiology (including core stability, flexibility, fatigue, and endurance), ergonomics, stress levels, and quality of life across different intervention groups.
Participants will be assigned to one of three groups:
Group 1: Exercise program, posture education, and standing advice Group 2: Posture education and standing advice Group 3: standing advice only The study will compare outcomes between groups to identify which combination of interventions provides the greatest benefits for office workers with a tendency to experience low back pain.
Read the detailed description
Research question: Is there any effect of office worker's program on pain intensity, lumbar posture, muscle physiology, ergonomics, stress and quality of life among office workers with low back pain? Research objective: To determine the effect of office worker's program on pain intensity, lumbar posture, muscle physiology, ergonomics, stress and quality of life Research hypothesis: There is significance different on pain intensity, lumbar posture, muscle physiology, ergonomics, stress and quality of life
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain
- Being tested
- Exercise, Education, Advice
- Keywords
- Low back pain, Office Workers, Ergonomics, Exercise Intervention, Posture Education
- Medical subject headings
- Low Back Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ExerciseBehavioural
Exercise Program: A structured physiotherapist-supervised exercise program designed to improve core stability, lumbar strength, flexibility, and endurance. The program includes progressive abdominal and lumbar muscle strengthening exercises performed three times per week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 20 minutes. Exercises gradually increase in intensity based on participant tolerance and progression criteria.
EducationBehavioural
Also called Poster Education
An educational ergonomic intervention delivered using an illustrated posture guidance poster. Participants receive instruction on proper sitting posture, workstation alignment, neutral spine position, and strategies to reduce lumbar strain during daily office activities. Education is delivered at baseline with follow-up reminders throughout the 12-week study period.
AdviceBehavioural
A behavioral intervention in which participants are advised to take regular standing breaks to reduce prolonged sitting. Participants are instructed to stand for short intervals periodically during working hours, supported by scheduled reminders. No exercise or posture education materials are included in this intervention.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Group | Experimental | Participants in this arm will receive a structured exercise program supervised by a physiotherapist, combined with posture education using an illustrated poster and regular standing advice. The exercise program consists of progressive abdominal and lumbar strengthening exercises performed 3 times per week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 20 minutes. Receives: Behavioral: Exercise; Behavioral: Education; Behavioral: Advice |
| Education Group | Active comparator | Participants in this arm will receive posture education supported by an illustrated poster and regular standing advice. No exercise program will be provided to this group. Receives: Behavioral: Education; Behavioral: Advice |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Participants in this arm will receive standing advice only, without exercise intervention or posture education materials. Receives: Behavioral: Advice |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Numeric Rating Scale for pain
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), an 11-point scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Participants will rate their average low back pain at baseline and after the 12-week intervention. Changes in NRS scores will be compared across groups.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Secondary outcomes (8)
Flexible curve to measure Lumbar posture
Lumbar posture will be assessed using the Flexible Curve method, which measures lumbar curvature by molding a flexible ruler along the participant's lumbar spine. Measurements will be taken in the prone position to assess lumbar extension and in the sitting position to assess lumbar flexion. The molded curve will then be traced onto paper to calculate the lumbar lordosis angle and curvature index. Changes in lumbar curvature values will be compared between groups to determine the effects of the interventions on spinal alignment. The unit of measurement will be degrees.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Sphygmomanometer Pressure Test to measure Core Stability
Core stability will be assessed using a sphygmomanometer pressure biofeedback test. Participants will be positioned sitting, with the cuff placed behind the lumbar region and inflated to a baseline pressure of 40 mmHg. Changes in pressure during controlled abdominal drawing-in maneuvers will be recorded. Smaller pressure deviations indicate better core muscle activation and stability. Core stability scores will be compared between groups to evaluate the effectiveness of each intervention. The unit of measurement will be millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Short Form-36 (SF-36) to measure quality of life
Quality of life will be assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire, which measures eight health domains: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, and mental health. Each domain is scored from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health status. Changes in SF-36 scores will be compared between groups to determine the impact of the interventions on overall quality of life.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to measure stress
Stress levels will be assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), a validated self-report questionnaire that measures the degree to which situations in a participant's life are appraised as stressful. Participants complete the 10-item PSS, with each item scored on a 0-4 scale. Higher total scores indicate higher perceived stress. Changes in PSS scores will be compared between the three study groups to evaluate the effect of the interventions on stress reduction.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) to measure ergonomics
Ergonomic risk will be evaluated using the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA), a validated observational tool designed to assess risk factors associated with office workstation setup. The ROSA score is calculated based on chair design, monitor height, keyboard/mouse position, posture, and duration of exposure to each risk factor. Higher scores indicate greater ergonomic risk. Changes in ROSA scores will be compared between groups to determine whether the interventions improve workstation ergonomics and reduce musculoskeletal risk factors.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Lumbar Trunk Muscle Endurance Tests to measure endurance
Lumbar trunk muscle endurance will be assessed using three standardized endurance tests, the unit of measurement per item will be second:
- Kraus-Weber Test (Trunk Flexor Endurance): Participants maintain a supported trunk flexion position while time to fatigue is recorded.
- Sorensen Test (Trunk Extensor Endurance): Participants maintain a horizontal torso position while the pelvis is secured, with hold time recorded.
- Shirado Test (Abdominal and Lumbar Endurance): Participants perform an isometric abdominal and lumbar hold, and duration until fatigue is measured.
Longer hold times indicate better muscle endurance. Changes in endurance times will be compared between groups to determine the effectiveness of the interventions.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Surface Electromyography (sEMG) to measure muscle fatigue
Muscle fatigue will be assessed using surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded from the lumbar extensor muscles during a standardized isometric contraction task. sEMG signals will be analyzed for median frequency (MF) and root mean square (RMS) changes. A decrease in MF and an increase in RMS over time indicate greater muscle fatigue. Differences in sEMG-derived fatigue indicators will be compared between intervention groups to determine the effect of the programs on lumbar muscle fatigue. The unit of measurement will be microvolts (µV).
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Sit-and-Reach Test to measure flexibility
Flexibility will be assessed using the Sit-and-Reach Test, which measures hamstring and lower back flexibility. Participants sit on the floor with legs extended and reach forward along a standardized measurement box. The distance reached (in centimeters) is recorded, with greater reach indicating better flexibility. Changes in Sit-and-Reach scores will be compared between groups to evaluate the effects of the interventions on flexibility. The unit of measurement will be centimeters.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 Nov 2025
- Study start23 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion17 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Low Back PainStudies 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned into three parallel intervention groups that differ in the components of the office worker's program they receive. The three groups will run concurrently throughout the study period. Exercise group will receive a combined intervention consisting of an exercise program, posture education, and standing advice. Education group will receive posture education and a standing advice. Control Group will receive only the standing advice as a minimal intervention control. Each participant remains in their assigned group for the duration of the study, and outcomes will be compared across groups to evaluate the relative effectiveness of each intervention combination.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Suci Wahyu Ismiyasa
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta University
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Suci Wahyu Ismiyasa, Universiti Teknologi Mara
- Investigators
- Suci Wahyu Ismiyasa, M.Erg, Principal investigator, Universiti Teknologi MaraZarina Zahari, PhD, Study director, Universiti Teknologi Mara
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07250568
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UTMara-OWP-LBP2025
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 16 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 26 Nov 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 26 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Exercise, Posture Education, and Standing Advice on Pain, Lumbar Posture, Core Stability, Flexibility, Fatigue, Endurance, Ergonomics, Stress, and Quality of Life in Office Workers With Low Back Pain: A Three-Arm RCT
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07250568
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UTMara-OWP-LBP2025
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain
- Keywords
- Low back pain, Office Workers, Ergonomics, Exercise Intervention, Posture Education
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Suci Wahyu IsmiyasaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta University
- Study start
- 23 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 17 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 26 Nov 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.
This interventional study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an office worker's program in reducing low back pain and improving physical and psychosocial outcomes among office employees. The primary objective is to determine the effects of the intervention on pain, lumbar posture, muscle physiology (including core stability, flexibility, fatigue, and endurance), ergonomics, stress levels, and quality of life across different intervention groups.
Participants will be assigned to one of three groups:
Group 1: Exercise program, posture education, and standing advice Group 2: Posture education and standing advice Group 3: standing advice only The study will compare outcomes between groups to identify which combination of interventions provides the greatest benefits for office workers with a tendency to experience low back pain.
Detailed description
Research question: Is there any effect of office worker's program on pain intensity, lumbar posture, muscle physiology, ergonomics, stress and quality of life among office workers with low back pain? Research objective: To determine the effect of office worker's program on pain intensity, lumbar posture, muscle physiology, ergonomics, stress and quality of life Research hypothesis: There is significance different on pain intensity, lumbar posture, muscle physiology, ergonomics, stress and quality of life
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned into three parallel intervention groups that differ in the components of the office worker's program they receive. The three groups will run concurrently throughout the study period. Exercise group will receive a combined intervention consisting of an exercise program, posture education, and standing advice. Education group will receive posture education and a standing advice. Control Group will receive only the standing advice as a minimal intervention control. Each participant remains in their assigned group for the duration of the study, and outcomes will be compared across groups to evaluate the relative effectiveness of each intervention combination.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Exercise, Behavioral: Education, Behavioral: AdviceParticipants in this arm will receive a structured exercise program supervised by a physiotherapist, combined with posture education using an illustrated poster and regular standing advice. The exercise program consists of progressive abdominal and lumbar strengthening exercises performed 3 times per week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 20 minutes. |
| Education Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Education, Behavioral: AdviceParticipants in this arm will receive posture education supported by an illustrated poster and regular standing advice. No exercise program will be provided to this group. |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: AdviceParticipants in this arm will receive standing advice only, without exercise intervention or posture education materials. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 58 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Identified LBP
- Age between 18 - 60 years old
- In the office, working in front computer/laptop minimum along 4 hours per day
- Able to ambulate independently with or without walking aids
- Controlled comorbidity e.g. DM, HPT, managed asthma and controlled thyroid conditions
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Recumbent
- Cancer, spinal fracture, neurological disorder (stroke, PBI and soon)
- Participation in a current fitness program designed to prevent LBP recurrence
- Spinal operation within the last six months
- Pregnant
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 |
|---|---|---|
| ExerciseExercise Program: A structured physiotherapist-supervised exercise program designed to improve core stability, lumbar strength, flexibility, and endurance. The program includes progressive abdominal and lumbar muscle strengthening exercises performed three times per week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 20 minutes. Exercises gradually increase in intensity based on participant tolerance and progression criteria. | Behavioural | Exercise Group |
| EducationAlso: Poster EducationAn educational ergonomic intervention delivered using an illustrated posture guidance poster. Participants receive instruction on proper sitting posture, workstation alignment, neutral spine position, and strategies to reduce lumbar strain during daily office activities. Education is delivered at baseline with follow-up reminders throughout the 12-week study period. | Behavioural | Education Group, Exercise Group |
| AdviceA behavioral intervention in which participants are advised to take regular standing breaks to reduce prolonged sitting. Participants are instructed to stand for short intervals periodically during working hours, supported by scheduled reminders. No exercise or posture education materials are included in this intervention. | Behavioural | Control Group, Education Group, Exercise Group |
Primary outcome
Numeric Rating Scale for pain
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), an 11-point scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Participants will rate their average low back pain at baseline and after the 12-week intervention. Changes in NRS scores will be compared across groups.
8 secondary outcomes
Flexible curve to measure Lumbar posture
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Sphygmomanometer Pressure Test to measure Core Stability
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Short Form-36 (SF-36) to measure quality of life
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to measure stress
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) to measure ergonomics
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Lumbar Trunk Muscle Endurance Tests to measure endurance
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Surface Electromyography (sEMG) to measure muscle fatigue
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Sit-and-Reach Test to measure flexibility
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
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 26 Nov 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Suci Wahyu Ismiyasa, M.Erg principal investigator
Universiti Teknologi Mara
Zarina Zahari, PhD study director
Universiti Teknologi Mara
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Exercise, Education and Advice in people with Low Back Pain, run by Suci Wahyu Ismiyasa at 1 site in Indonesia.
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 8 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 26 Nov 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 Indonesia. 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 Suci Wahyu Ismiyasa (+6285219163441, suciwahyuismiyasa@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Numeric Rating Scale for pain (time frame: Baseline and Week 12). 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 26 Nov 2025.