Occupational ErgonomicsERGO-PTNCT07796581
Effects of Ergonomics Education in Physiotherapy Students
A study testing Ergonomics Education in people with Occupational Ergonomics, run by Karabuk University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled study evaluated the effects of ergonomics education in final-year physiotherapy and rehabilitation students during their clinical internship. Physiotherapy students may be exposed to physically demanding tasks, prolonged standing, repetitive movements, and postures that may increase their… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Occupational Ergonomics
- What is being tested?
- Ergonomics Education
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 9 Mar 2026to 22 May 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 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Able to read and understand Turkish.
- Final-year physiotherapy and rehabilitation student undertaking a clinical internship.
- No previous course, class, or similar training in ergonomics.
- No recent orthopedic surgery.
- Willing to participate in the study.
Who cannot join
- Presence of a severe postural disorder, such as scoliosis or kyphosis.
- Recent surgery or a similar procedure that could affect posture.
- Unwillingness to participate in the study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Karabuk University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Karabük, Karabük Province
About this study
Official title: Effects of Ergonomics Education on Muscle Activation, Posture, and Musculoskeletal Risk in Physiotherapy Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled study evaluated the effects of ergonomics education in final-year physiotherapy and rehabilitation students during their clinical internship. Physiotherapy students may be exposed to physically demanding tasks, prolonged standing, repetitive movements, and postures that may increase their risk of work-related musculoskeletal problems.
Participants were randomly assigned to an ergonomics education group or a control group. Students in the education group received a total of four hours of face-to-face ergonomics education, consisting of theoretical and practical training delivered over two weeks. The control group did not receive ergonomics education during the study period.
The study examined whether ergonomics education could improve students' working posture and postural awareness, reduce ergonomic musculoskeletal risk and unnecessary muscle activation, and reduce musculoskeletal discomfort and fatigue. Outcomes were assessed before the intervention, after completion of the ergonomics education, and six weeks later.
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled study investigated the short- and medium-term effects of ergonomics education on muscle activation, ergonomic musculoskeletal risk, posture, postural habits and awareness, musculoskeletal discomfort, and fatigue in final-year physiotherapy and rehabilitation students undertaking clinical internships.
Participants were final-year students in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Karabuk University who were undertaking their clinical internship at the Karabuk University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Application and Research Center. Eligible volunteers were randomly allocated to an ergonomics education group or a control group.
Participants allocated to the intervention group received a total of four hours of face-to-face ergonomics education, including theoretical and practical components. The education was delivered over two weeks, with two hours of training provided each week. The control group received no ergonomics education during the study period.
Assessments were performed at baseline, on the first working day following completion of the ergonomics education, and six weeks after the intervention. Muscle activation of the upper and middle trapezius muscles was assessed using surface electromyography. Ergonomic musculoskeletal risk during clinical activities was evaluated using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Postural assessment was performed using PostureScreen Mobile, and postural habits and awareness were evaluated using the Postural Habits and Awareness Scale. Musculoskeletal discomfort was assessed using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire, and fatigue was evaluated using the Chalder Fatigue Scale.
The study was designed to determine whether ergonomics education provided before graduation could promote safer body mechanics and working postures among physiotherapy students and potentially reduce factors associated with future work-related musculoskeletal problems.
- Conditions
- Occupational Ergonomics
- Being tested
- Ergonomics Education
- Keywords
- Ergonomics Education, Physiotherapy Students, Occupational Ergonomics, Muscle Activation, Surface Electromyography, Posture, Postural Awareness, Musculoskeletal Risk, REBA, Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Fatigue
- Medical subject headings
- Fatigue
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Ergonomics EducationBehavioural
Participants received a total of four hours of face-to-face ergonomics education delivered over two weeks. The intervention consisted of both theoretical and practical training. Two hours of training were provided during the first week and two hours during the second week.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Ergonomics Education Group | Experimental | Participants received a total of four hours of face-to-face ergonomics education over two weeks. The program included theoretical and practical ergonomics training, with two hours of training delivered in the first week and two hours in the second week. Receives: Behavioral: Ergonomics Education |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants did not receive ergonomics education during the study period and continued their usual clinical internship activities. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) Score
Ergonomic musculoskeletal risk during clinical activities was assessed using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). REBA evaluates the positions of the trunk, neck, legs, upper arms, lower arms, and wrists together with relevant load and activity factors. The total score ranges from 1 to 15, with higher scores indicating greater ergonomic risk. Six observations obtained at different times over three working days were averaged to obtain the participant's REBA score at each assessment period.
Measured: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention
Secondary outcomes (6)
Upper Trapezius Muscle Activation
Upper trapezius muscle activation was assessed using surface electromyography (sEMG) with the Megawin ME800 system. Following skin preparation, Ag/AgCl surface electrodes were positioned parallel to the muscle fibers at the midpoint of the line between the acromioclavicular joint and the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. Muscle activity was recorded during maximum voluntary contraction.
Measured: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention
Middle Trapezius Muscle Activation
Middle trapezius muscle activation was assessed using surface electromyography (sEMG) with the Megawin ME800 system. Following skin preparation, Ag/AgCl surface electrodes were positioned parallel to the muscle fibers at the midpoint of the horizontal line between the spine of the scapula and the third thoracic vertebra. Muscle activity was recorded during maximum voluntary contraction.
Measured: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention
Postural Deviations
Posture was assessed using the PostureScreenLite application. Photographs of participants were obtained from anterior, posterior, right, and left views and subsequently uploaded to the application. PostureScreenLite quantifies postural deviations in centimeters.
Measured: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention
Postural Habits and Awareness
Postural habits and awareness were assessed using the 19-item Postural Habits and Awareness Scale. The scale includes postural habits and postural awareness components. The total score ranges up to 95 points, with higher scores indicating better posture-related habits and greater postural awareness.
Measured: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention
Musculoskeletal Discomfort
Musculoskeletal discomfort was assessed using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire. The questionnaire evaluates discomfort across 20 body regions and considers the frequency and severity of discomfort and its interference with work. Higher scores indicate greater musculoskeletal discomfort.
Measured: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention
Fatigue
Fatigue was assessed using the Chalder Fatigue Scale. The scale consists of 11 items evaluating physical and mental fatigue. Each item is scored from 0 to 3, resulting in a total score ranging from 0 to 33. Higher scores indicate greater fatigue.
Measured: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Sep 2026
- Study start9 Mar 2026
- Primary completion22 May 2026
- Study completion22 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Occupational ErgonomicsStudies 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
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: an ergonomics education group or a control group. The intervention group received four hours of face-to-face ergonomics education over two weeks, while the control group received no ergonomics education during the study period.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Karabuk University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ece ACAR, Karabuk University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07796581
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- KBU-FTR-ERGO-2026
- Acronym
- ERGO-PT
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 1 Sep 2026
- 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 1 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Ergonomics Education on Muscle Activation, Posture, and Musculoskeletal Risk in Physiotherapy Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07796581
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ERGO-PT / KBU-FTR-ERGO-2026
- Conditions
- Occupational Ergonomics
- Keywords
- Ergonomics Education, Physiotherapy Students, Occupational Ergonomics, Muscle Activation, Surface Electromyography, Posture, Postural Awareness, Musculoskeletal Risk
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Karabuk UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 9 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 22 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 22 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 1 Sep 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 randomized controlled study evaluated the effects of ergonomics education in final-year physiotherapy and rehabilitation students during their clinical internship. Physiotherapy students may be exposed to physically demanding tasks, prolonged standing, repetitive movements, and postures that may increase their risk of work-related musculoskeletal problems.
Participants were randomly assigned to an ergonomics education group or a control group. Students in the education group received a total of four hours of face-to-face ergonomics education, consisting of theoretical and practical training delivered over two weeks. The control group did not receive ergonomics education during the study period.
The study examined whether ergonomics education could improve students' working posture and postural awareness, reduce ergonomic musculoskeletal risk and unnecessary muscle activation, and reduce musculoskeletal discomfort and fatigue. Outcomes were assessed before the intervention, after completion of the ergonomics education, and six weeks later.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled study investigated the short- and medium-term effects of ergonomics education on muscle activation, ergonomic musculoskeletal risk, posture, postural habits and awareness, musculoskeletal discomfort, and fatigue in final-year physiotherapy and rehabilitation students undertaking clinical internships.
Participants were final-year students in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Karabuk University who were undertaking their clinical internship at the Karabuk University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Application and Research Center. Eligible volunteers were randomly allocated to an ergonomics education group or a control group.
Participants allocated to the intervention group received a total of four hours of face-to-face ergonomics education, including theoretical and practical components. The education was delivered over two weeks, with two hours of training provided each week. The control group received no ergonomics education during the study period.
Assessments were performed at baseline, on the first working day following completion of the ergonomics education, and six weeks after the intervention. Muscle activation of the upper and middle trapezius muscles was assessed using surface electromyography. Ergonomic musculoskeletal risk during clinical activities was evaluated using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). Postural assessment was performed using PostureScreen Mobile, and postural habits and awareness were evaluated using the Postural Habits and Awareness Scale. Musculoskeletal discomfort was assessed using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire, and fatigue was evaluated using the Chalder Fatigue Scale.
The study was designed to determine whether ergonomics education provided before graduation could promote safer body mechanics and working postures among physiotherapy students and potentially reduce factors associated with future work-related musculoskeletal problems.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: an ergonomics education group or a control group. The intervention group received four hours of face-to-face ergonomics education over two weeks, while the control group received no ergonomics education during the study period.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Ergonomics Education Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Ergonomics EducationParticipants received a total of four hours of face-to-face ergonomics education over two weeks. The program included theoretical and practical ergonomics training, with two hours of training delivered in the first week and two hours in the second week. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants did not receive ergonomics education during the study period and continued their usual clinical internship activities. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Able to read and understand Turkish.
- Final-year physiotherapy and rehabilitation student undertaking a clinical internship.
- No previous course, class, or similar training in ergonomics.
- No recent orthopedic surgery.
- Willing to participate in the study.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Presence of a severe postural disorder, such as scoliosis or kyphosis.
- Recent surgery or a similar procedure that could affect posture.
- Unwillingness to participate in the study.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ergonomics EducationParticipants received a total of four hours of face-to-face ergonomics education delivered over two weeks. The intervention consisted of both theoretical and practical training. Two hours of training were provided during the first week and two hours during the second week. | Behavioural | Ergonomics Education Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) Score
Time frame: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention
Ergonomic musculoskeletal risk during clinical activities was assessed using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). REBA evaluates the positions of the trunk, neck, legs, upper arms, lower arms, and wrists together with relevant load and activity factors. The total score ranges from 1 to 15, with higher scores indicating greater ergonomic risk. Six observations obtained at different times over three working days were averaged to obtain the participant's REBA score at each assessment period.
6 secondary outcomes
Upper Trapezius Muscle Activation
Time frame: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention
Middle Trapezius Muscle Activation
Time frame: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention
Postural Deviations
Time frame: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention
Postural Habits and Awareness
Time frame: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention
Musculoskeletal Discomfort
Time frame: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention
Fatigue
Time frame: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention
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 1 Sep 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 Ergonomics Education in people with Occupational Ergonomics, run by Karabuk University 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 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 1 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?
Change in Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) Score (time frame: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention). 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 1 Sep 2026.