Occupational HealthNCT07556081
Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of a Tele-Education-Based Ergonomic and Hand Exercise Program in Desk-Based Workers
A study testing Tele-Education-Based Ergonomic Training and Hand Exercise Program in people with Occupational Health, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Many office workers spend long hours at desks, which can lead to hand and upper limb problems. These issues may reduce hand strength and affect daily activities and work performance. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 60 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Occupational Health
- What is being tested?
- Tele-Education-Based Ergonomic Training and Hand Exercise Program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jul 2026to 5 Aug 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 60 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged between 18 and 60 years
- Working at a desk for at least 5 hours per day
- Having no regular exercise habits
- Not having received prior training related to office ergonomics, hand dexterity, or grip strength
- Working in a desk-based job for at least 1 year
- Willing to participate and providing written informed consen
Who cannot join
- History of surgery involving the wrist or hand
- Diagnosis of a neurological disorder
- Inability to maintain regular participation during the training program
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Faculty of Health Sciences
Istanbul, Istanbul, 34104
About this study
Official title: Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of a Tele-Education-Based Ergonomic and Hand Exercise Program in Office Workers
Many office workers spend long hours at desks, which can lead to hand and upper limb problems. These issues may reduce hand strength and affect daily activities and work performance.
This study will evaluate whether an online ergonomic training and hand exercise program is practical and helpful for desk-based workers over four weeks.
Researchers will measure hand grip strength and fine motor skills before and after the program to assess its potential benefits.
Read the detailed description
Prolonged desk-based work and increased screen time have been associated with a higher risk of upper extremity musculoskeletal problems, particularly affecting hand function. Reduced grip strength and impaired fine motor skills may negatively influence daily activities and work performance in office workers. Maintaining and improving hand function is therefore an important component of occupational health in this population.
Tele-education-based interventions have gained increasing attention as accessible and scalable approaches to deliver ergonomic training and exercise programs. However, current evidence on online interventions specifically targeting hand function in desk-based workers remains limited.
This study is designed as a single-group pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of a tele-education-based ergonomic training and hand exercise program in office workers. The intervention will be conducted over four weeks and will include online ergonomic education and structured hand exercises delivered under physiotherapist supervision. In addition to supervised sessions, participants will be encouraged to continue the exercises as part of a home-based program.
The feasibility of the program will be explored in terms of its applicability in a remote setting. The potential effects of the intervention on hand function will be examined through changes observed before and after the program. The findings of this study are expected to provide preliminary evidence to inform the design of future controlled trials and contribute to the development of accessible interventions for desk-based workers.
- Conditions
- Occupational Health
- Being tested
- Tele-Education-Based Ergonomic Training and Hand Exercise Program
- Keywords
- Occupational Health, Ergonomics, Motor Skills, Hand Strength, telemedicine, upper extremity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Tele-Education-Based Ergonomic Training and Hand Exercise ProgramBehavioural
Participants will receive a four-week tele-education-based ergonomic training and hand exercise program. Ergonomic education will be provided once at the beginning of the program through an online session. The exercise program will include supervised sessions conducted by a physiotherapist twice per week, each lasting approximately 40 minutes, focusing on structured hand exercises. Participants will also be instructed to perform the exercises on other days as part of a home-based program. The intervention is designed to improve working posture and support hand function during daily activities.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Tele-Education Ergonomic and Hand Exercise Intervention | Experimental | Participants will receive a four-week tele-education-based ergonomic training and hand exercise program. At the beginning of the program, ergonomic education will be delivered once to all participants through an online session. The intervention will include supervised online exercise sessions conducted by a physiotherapist twice per week, with each session lasting approximately 40 minutes, focusing on structured hand exercises. In addition to the supervised sessions, participants will be instructed to perform the exercises on other days as part of a home-based program. The program aims to support proper working posture and improve hand use during daily activities. Receives: Behavioral: Tele-Education-Based Ergonomic Training and Hand Exercise Program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
hand grip strength
Participants' hand grip strength was measured face-to-face using a digital hand dynamometer. Measurements were performed in accordance with the standard testing position recommended by the American Hand Therapy Association (AHTA) (Hamilton et al., 1992). Higher scores indicate greater grip strength.
Measured: Baseline and Week 4
Fine Motor Skills (Nine-Hole Peg Test)
The Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT) was administered face-to-face to assess hand dexterity and fine motor performance. During the assessment, participants were seated at a table and instructed to pick up nine pegs from a container and place them into the holes as quickly as possible, in any order, and then remove them without interruption and return them to the container. Performance time was recorded in seconds using a stopwatch. The test was performed twice consecutively for each hand, and the average of the two trials for each hand was calculated. Shorter completion times indicate better fine motor skills (Oxford et al., 2003).
Measured: Baseline and Week 4
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Apr 2026
- Study start1 Jul 2026
- Primary completion1 Aug 2026
- Study completion5 Aug 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Occupational HealthStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Istanbul University - CerrahpasaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- 40 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Busra Turk, Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07556081
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IstanbulUC-FTR-BT-01
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 22 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared due to privacy, confidentiality, and institutional restrictions.
Publications
Seron P, Oliveros MJ, Gutierrez-Arias R, Fuentes-Aspe R, Torres-Castro RC, Merino-Osorio C, Nahuelhual P, Inostroza J, Jalil Y, Solano R, Marzuca-Nassr GN, Aguilera-Eguia R, Lavados-Romo P, Soto-Rodriguez FJ, Sabelle C, Villarroel-Silva G, Gomolan P, Huaiquilaf S, Sanchez P. Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation in Physical Therapy: A Rapid Overview. Phys Ther. 2021 Jun 1;101(6):pzab053. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzab053.
PubMed 33561280Shariat A, Cleland JA, Danaee M, Kargarfard M, Sangelaji B, Tamrin SBM. Effects of stretching exercise training and ergonomic modifications on musculoskeletal discomforts of office workers: a randomized controlled trial. Braz J Phys Ther. 2018 Mar-Apr;22(2):144-153. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2017.09.003. Epub 2017 Sep 6.
PubMed 28939263Greggi C, Visconti VV, Albanese M, Gasperini B, Chiavoghilefu A, Prezioso C, Persechino B, Iavicoli S, Gasbarra E, Iundusi R, Tarantino U. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med. 2024 Jul 6;13(13):3964. doi: 10.3390/jcm13133964.
PubMed 38999528
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of a Tele-Education-Based Ergonomic and Hand Exercise Program in Office Workers
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07556081
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IstanbulUC-FTR-BT-01
- Conditions
- Occupational Health
- Keywords
- Occupational Health, Ergonomics, Motor Skills, Hand Strength, telemedicine, upper extremity
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul University - CerrahpasaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 5 Aug 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 29 Apr 2026 (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.
Many office workers spend long hours at desks, which can lead to hand and upper limb problems. These issues may reduce hand strength and affect daily activities and work performance.
This study will evaluate whether an online ergonomic training and hand exercise program is practical and helpful for desk-based workers over four weeks.
Researchers will measure hand grip strength and fine motor skills before and after the program to assess its potential benefits.
Detailed description
Prolonged desk-based work and increased screen time have been associated with a higher risk of upper extremity musculoskeletal problems, particularly affecting hand function. Reduced grip strength and impaired fine motor skills may negatively influence daily activities and work performance in office workers. Maintaining and improving hand function is therefore an important component of occupational health in this population.
Tele-education-based interventions have gained increasing attention as accessible and scalable approaches to deliver ergonomic training and exercise programs. However, current evidence on online interventions specifically targeting hand function in desk-based workers remains limited.
This study is designed as a single-group pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of a tele-education-based ergonomic training and hand exercise program in office workers. The intervention will be conducted over four weeks and will include online ergonomic education and structured hand exercises delivered under physiotherapist supervision. In addition to supervised sessions, participants will be encouraged to continue the exercises as part of a home-based program.
The feasibility of the program will be explored in terms of its applicability in a remote setting. The potential effects of the intervention on hand function will be examined through changes observed before and after the program. The findings of this study are expected to provide preliminary evidence to inform the design of future controlled trials and contribute to the development of accessible interventions for desk-based workers.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Tele-Education Ergonomic and Hand Exercise Intervention | Experimental | Behavioral: Tele-Education-Based Ergonomic Training and Hand Exercise ProgramParticipants will receive a four-week tele-education-based ergonomic training and hand exercise program. At the beginning of the program, ergonomic education will be delivered once to all participants through an online session. The intervention will include supervised online exercise sessions conducted by a physiotherapist twice per week, with each session lasting approximately 40 minutes, focusing on structured hand exercises. In addition to the supervised sessions, participants will be instructed to perform the exercises on other days as part of a home-based program. The program aims to support proper working posture and improve hand use during daily activities. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Aged between 18 and 60 years
- Working at a desk for at least 5 hours per day
- Having no regular exercise habits
- Not having received prior training related to office ergonomics, hand dexterity, or grip strength
- Working in a desk-based job for at least 1 year
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- History of surgery involving the wrist or hand
- Diagnosis of a neurological disorder
- Inability to maintain regular participation during the training program
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tele-Education-Based Ergonomic Training and Hand Exercise ProgramParticipants will receive a four-week tele-education-based ergonomic training and hand exercise program. Ergonomic education will be provided once at the beginning of the program through an online session. The exercise program will include supervised sessions conducted by a physiotherapist twice per week, each lasting approximately 40 minutes, focusing on structured hand exercises. Participants will also be instructed to perform the exercises on other days as part of a home-based program. The intervention is designed to improve working posture and support hand function during daily activities. | Behavioural | Tele-Education Ergonomic and Hand Exercise Intervention |
Primary outcome
hand grip strength
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Participants' hand grip strength was measured face-to-face using a digital hand dynamometer. Measurements were performed in accordance with the standard testing position recommended by the American Hand Therapy Association (AHTA) (Hamilton et al., 1992). Higher scores indicate greater grip strength.
Fine Motor Skills (Nine-Hole Peg Test)
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
The Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT) was administered face-to-face to assess hand dexterity and fine motor performance. During the assessment, participants were seated at a table and instructed to pick up nine pegs from a container and place them into the holes as quickly as possible, in any order, and then remove them without interruption and return them to the container. Performance time was recorded in seconds using a stopwatch. The test was performed twice consecutively for each hand, and the average of the two trials for each hand was calculated. Shorter completion times indicate better fine motor skills (Oxford et al., 2003).
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Sep 2026.
- Background: PubMed 33561280Seron P, Oliveros MJ, Gutierrez-Arias R, Fuentes-Aspe R, Torres-Castro RC, Merino-Osorio C, Nahuelhual P, Inostroza J, Jalil Y, Solano R, Marzuca-Nassr GN, Aguilera-Eguia R, Lavados-Romo P, Soto-Rodriguez FJ, Sabelle C, Villarroel-Silva G, Gomolan P, Huaiquilaf S, Sanchez P. Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation in Physical Therapy: A Rapid Overview. Phys Ther. 2021 Jun 1;101(6):pzab053. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzab053.
- Background: PubMed 28939263Shariat A, Cleland JA, Danaee M, Kargarfard M, Sangelaji B, Tamrin SBM. Effects of stretching exercise training and ergonomic modifications on musculoskeletal discomforts of office workers: a randomized controlled trial. Braz J Phys Ther. 2018 Mar-Apr;22(2):144-153. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2017.09.003. Epub 2017 Sep 6.
- Background: PubMed 38999528Greggi C, Visconti VV, Albanese M, Gasperini B, Chiavoghilefu A, Prezioso C, Persechino B, Iavicoli S, Gasbarra E, Iundusi R, Tarantino U. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med. 2024 Jul 6;13(13):3964. doi: 10.3390/jcm13133964.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared due to privacy, confidentiality, and institutional restrictions.
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Tele-Education-Based Ergonomic Training and Hand Exercise Program in people with Occupational Health, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 6 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Sep 2026. 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
hand grip strength (time frame: Baseline and Week 4). 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?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07556081, which also lists 3 linked publications.
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 23 Sep 2026.