Musculoskeletal PainNCT07763925
Effects of Pilates and Desk-Based Exercise on Office Workers
A study testing Desk-Based Exercise and Pilates in people with Musculoskeletal Pain and Postural Abnormalities, run by Muharrem Gökhan Beydağı at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study evaluated whether adding Pilates exercises to a desk-based exercise program provides greater benefits for female office workers than desk-based exercises alone or no exercise intervention. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 24 to 50 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Musculoskeletal Pain, Postural Abnormalities, Core Muscle Endurance
- What is being tested?
- Desk-Based Exercise and Pilates
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 42 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 15 Jan 2025to 20 Apr 2025
- 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 24 to 50 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Female sex.
- Age between 24 and 50 years.
- Currently employed in a desk-based office position.
- At least 1 year of occupational experience in a desk-based office role.
- Having read the study procedures and provided voluntary informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Musculoskeletal surgery within the previous 2 months.
- Cognitive or physical inability to cooperate with study procedures.
- Pregnancy.
- History of malignancy.
- Chronic systemic or neurological disease that would preclude participation in exercise.
- Unwillingness to participate voluntarily.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Combined Pilates and Desk-Based Exercise on Pain, Posture, Core Endurance, and Burnout in Office Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study evaluated whether adding Pilates exercises to a desk-based exercise program provides greater benefits for female office workers than desk-based exercises alone or no exercise intervention. The study included 42 female office workers who were randomly assigned to three groups: a desk-based exercise group, a combined desk-based exercise and Pilates group, or a control group. The exercise interventions were performed for 6 weeks, three days per week. Pain, posture, core muscle endurance, burnout, and hedonic eating behavior were assessed before and after the intervention.
Read the detailed description
This was a three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted among female office workers in Elazığ, Türkiye. The study included 42 female office workers aged 24-50 years who had been employed in a desk-based office position for at least one year. Participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to a desk-based exercise group, a combined desk-based exercise and Pilates group, or a control group. Each group consisted of 14 participants.
The desk-based exercise group participated in a workplace-adapted exercise program consisting of 13 exercises designed to address musculoskeletal complaints associated with office work. The combined intervention group received the same desk-based exercise program together with a Pilates-based exercise program. The Pilates program was performed on a mat using body weight as resistance and consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, a 40-minute main exercise period, and a 10-minute cool-down. Exercise difficulty was progressively increased during the 6-week intervention. Both intervention programs were delivered three days per week for 6 weeks.
Participants in the control group did not receive an exercise intervention during the study period and continued their usual daily activities and work routines.
Assessments were performed at baseline and after 6 weeks by the same physiotherapist. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, including total pain and pain in the neck, upper back, low back, and knee regions. Posture was assessed using the New York Posture Rating Scale. Core endurance was evaluated using lateral bridge, trunk flexor endurance, trunk extensor endurance, prone bridge, modified push-up, and sit-up tests. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and hedonic eating behavior was assessed using the Hedonic Eating Scale.
The primary purpose of the study was to determine whether combining Pilates with desk-based exercises produces greater improvements in physical and psychological outcomes than desk-based exercises alone or no exercise intervention in female office workers.
- Conditions
- Musculoskeletal Pain, Postural Abnormalities, Core Muscle Endurance, Burnout, Hedonic Eating Behavior
- Being tested
- Desk-Based Exercise, Pilates
- Keywords
- Office Workers, Desk-Based Exercise, Pilates, Workplace Exercise, Musculoskeletal Pain, Posture, Core Endurance, Burnout, Hedonic Eating
- Medical subject headings
- Musculoskeletal Pain, Burnout, Psychological
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Desk-Based ExerciseBehavioural
A workplace-adapted desk-based exercise program consisting of 13 exercises, with 10 repetitions of each exercise, designed to reduce musculoskeletal complaints in office workers, particularly in the shoulder, neck, and low back regions. The program was performed for 6 weeks, three days per week.
PilatesBehavioural
A mat-based Pilates exercise program using body weight as resistance. Each 60-minute session consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, 40-minute main exercise period, and 10-minute cool-down. Exercise difficu
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Desk-Based Exercise Group | Experimental | Participants received a workplace-adapted desk-based exercise program consisting of 13 exercises designed to reduce musculoskeletal complaints, particularly in the shoulder, neck, and low back regions. Each exercise was performed for 10 repetitions. The intervention was delivered for 6 weeks, three days per week, with adherence monitored throughout the intervention period. Receives: Behavioral: Desk-Based Exercise |
| Desk-Based Exercise + Pilates Group | Experimental | Participants received the desk-based exercise program together with a Pilates-based exercise program. The Pilates program was performed on a mat using body weight as resistance and consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, a 40-minute main exercise section, and a 10-minute cool-down. Exercise difficulty was progressively increased every two weeks during the 6-week intervention. The program was delivered three days per week. Receives: Behavioral: Desk-Based Exercise; Behavioral: Pilates |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants did not receive an exercise intervention during the 6-week study period and continued their usual daily activities and work routines. After completion of the assessment period, participants were offered the opportunity to undergo the exercise program. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Total Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)
Total musculoskeletal pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants rated their perceived pain intensity on a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (unbearable pain). Total pain was calculated based on pain assessments of the neck, upper back, low back, and knee regions.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (13)
Low Back Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)
Pain intensity in the low back region was assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (unbearable pain).
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Neck Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)
Pain intensity in the neck region was assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (unbearable pain).
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Upper Back Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)
Pain intensity in the upper back region was assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (unbearable pain).
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Knee Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)
Pain intensity in the knee region was assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (unbearable pain).
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Postural Alignment (New York Posture Rating Scale)
Overall body posture was assessed using the New York Posture Rating Scale. The scale evaluates 13 body regions, with scores of 5 indicating normal alignment, 3 indicating moderate deviation, and 1 indicating severe deviation. Total scores range from 13 to 65, with higher scores indicating better postural alignment.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Right Side Bridge Endurance
Right lateral trunk endurance was assessed using the side bridge test. Participants maintained the side bridge position, and endurance time was recorded in seconds. The test ended when correct body alignment was lost or the pelvis dropped toward the mat.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Left Side Bridge Endurance
Left lateral trunk endurance was assessed using the side bridge test. Participants maintained the side bridge position, and endurance time was recorded in seconds. The test ended when correct body alignment was lost or the pelvis dropped toward the mat.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Trunk Flexor Endurance
Trunk flexor endurance was assessed by recording the time, in seconds, that participants could maintain the standardized trunk flexion position without external support.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Trunk Extensor Endurance
Trunk extensor endurance was assessed by recording the time, in seconds, that participants could maintain the standardized horizontal trunk position during the test.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Modified Push-Up Test
Dynamic core endurance was assessed using the modified push-up test. Participants performed the test from a prone position with the knees maintained in flexion while lifting the head, shoulders, and trunk until the elbows reached full extension.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Sit-Up Test
Abdominal and hip flexor muscle performance was assessed using the sit-up test. Participants performed trunk flexion with the knees flexed and the feet fixed.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory)
Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The inventory includes three subscales: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Higher emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores and lower personal accomplishment scores indicate higher burnout.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Hedonic Eating Behavior (Hedonic Eating Scale)
Hedonic eating behavior was assessed using the 15-item Hedonic Eating Scale. Items are rated on a five-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 15 to 75. Higher scores indicate a greater tendency toward hedonic eating.
Measured: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Aug 2026
- Study start15 Jan 2025
- Primary completion20 Apr 2025
- Study completion20 Apr 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Musculoskeletal 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
- Three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial comparing desk-based exercise, combined desk-based exercise and Pilates, and a no-exercise control group.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Muharrem Gökhan Beydağı
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Muharrem Gökhan Beydağı, Firat University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07763925
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FU_MGBeydagi_plat_B_2026/06-39
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- 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 13 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Combined Pilates and Desk-Based Exercise on Pain, Posture, Core Endurance, and Burnout in Office Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07763925
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FU_MGBeydagi_plat_B_2026/06-39
- Conditions
- Musculoskeletal Pain, Postural Abnormalities, Core Muscle Endurance, Burnout, Hedonic Eating Behavior
- Keywords
- Office Workers, Desk-Based Exercise, Pilates, Workplace Exercise, Musculoskeletal Pain, Posture, Core Endurance, Burnout
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Muharrem Gökhan BeydağıUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 Apr 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 13 Aug 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.
This study evaluated whether adding Pilates exercises to a desk-based exercise program provides greater benefits for female office workers than desk-based exercises alone or no exercise intervention. The study included 42 female office workers who were randomly assigned to three groups: a desk-based exercise group, a combined desk-based exercise and Pilates group, or a control group. The exercise interventions were performed for 6 weeks, three days per week. Pain, posture, core muscle endurance, burnout, and hedonic eating behavior were assessed before and after the intervention.
Detailed description
This was a three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted among female office workers in Elazığ, Türkiye. The study included 42 female office workers aged 24-50 years who had been employed in a desk-based office position for at least one year. Participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to a desk-based exercise group, a combined desk-based exercise and Pilates group, or a control group. Each group consisted of 14 participants.
The desk-based exercise group participated in a workplace-adapted exercise program consisting of 13 exercises designed to address musculoskeletal complaints associated with office work. The combined intervention group received the same desk-based exercise program together with a Pilates-based exercise program. The Pilates program was performed on a mat using body weight as resistance and consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, a 40-minute main exercise period, and a 10-minute cool-down. Exercise difficulty was progressively increased during the 6-week intervention. Both intervention programs were delivered three days per week for 6 weeks.
Participants in the control group did not receive an exercise intervention during the study period and continued their usual daily activities and work routines.
Assessments were performed at baseline and after 6 weeks by the same physiotherapist. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, including total pain and pain in the neck, upper back, low back, and knee regions. Posture was assessed using the New York Posture Rating Scale. Core endurance was evaluated using lateral bridge, trunk flexor endurance, trunk extensor endurance, prone bridge, modified push-up, and sit-up tests. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and hedonic eating behavior was assessed using the Hedonic Eating Scale.
The primary purpose of the study was to determine whether combining Pilates with desk-based exercises produces greater improvements in physical and psychological outcomes than desk-based exercises alone or no exercise intervention in female office workers.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial comparing desk-based exercise, combined desk-based exercise and Pilates, and a no-exercise control group.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Desk-Based Exercise Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Desk-Based ExerciseParticipants received a workplace-adapted desk-based exercise program consisting of 13 exercises designed to reduce musculoskeletal complaints, particularly in the shoulder, neck, and low back regions. Each exercise was performed for 10 repetitions. The intervention was delivered for 6 weeks, three days per week, with adherence monitored throughout the intervention period. |
| Desk-Based Exercise + Pilates Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Desk-Based Exercise, Behavioral: PilatesParticipants received the desk-based exercise program together with a Pilates-based exercise program. The Pilates program was performed on a mat using body weight as resistance and consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, a 40-minute main exercise section, and a 10-minute cool-down. Exercise difficulty was progressively increased every two weeks during the 6-week intervention. The program was delivered three days per week. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants did not receive an exercise intervention during the 6-week study period and continued their usual daily activities and work routines. After completion of the assessment period, participants were offered the opportunity to undergo the exercise program. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 24 to 50 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Female sex.
- Age between 24 and 50 years.
- Currently employed in a desk-based office position.
- At least 1 year of occupational experience in a desk-based office role.
- Having read the study procedures and provided voluntary informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Musculoskeletal surgery within the previous 2 months.
- Cognitive or physical inability to cooperate with study procedures.
- Pregnancy.
- History of malignancy.
- Chronic systemic or neurological disease that would preclude participation in exercise.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Desk-Based ExerciseA workplace-adapted desk-based exercise program consisting of 13 exercises, with 10 repetitions of each exercise, designed to reduce musculoskeletal complaints in office workers, particularly in the shoulder, neck, and low back regions. The program was performed for 6 weeks, three days per week. | Behavioural | Desk-Based Exercise + Pilates Group, Desk-Based Exercise Group |
| PilatesA mat-based Pilates exercise program using body weight as resistance. Each 60-minute session consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, 40-minute main exercise period, and 10-minute cool-down. Exercise difficu | Behavioural | Desk-Based Exercise + Pilates Group |
Primary outcome
Total Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Total musculoskeletal pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants rated their perceived pain intensity on a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (unbearable pain). Total pain was calculated based on pain assessments of the neck, upper back, low back, and knee regions.
13 secondary outcomes
Low Back Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Neck Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Upper Back Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Knee Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Postural Alignment (New York Posture Rating Scale)
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Right Side Bridge Endurance
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Left Side Bridge Endurance
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Trunk Flexor Endurance
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Trunk Extensor Endurance
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Modified Push-Up Test
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Sit-Up Test
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory)
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
Hedonic Eating Behavior (Hedonic Eating Scale)
Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks
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 13 Aug 2026.
- 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. 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 Desk-Based Exercise and Pilates in people with Musculoskeletal Pain and Postural Abnormalities, run by Muharrem Gökhan Beydağı 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 5 inclusion and 6 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 13 Aug 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?
Total Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale) (time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks). 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 13 Aug 2026.