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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07796581

Effects of Ergonomics Education in Physiotherapy Students

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Occupational Ergonomics Fatigue Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Karabuk University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Karabük, Karabük Province, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 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.

Exclusion criteria

  • 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.

Treatment and study plan

Ergonomics Education

Behavioral

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. 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.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Upper Trapezius Muscle Activation

    Time frame: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention

    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.

  2. Middle 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 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.

  3. Postural Deviations

    Time frame: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention

    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.

  4. Postural Habits and Awareness

    Time frame: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention

    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.

  5. Musculoskeletal Discomfort

    Time frame: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention

    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.

  6. Fatigue

    Time frame: Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention

    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.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Karabuk University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Ergonomics Education on Muscle Activation, Posture, and Musculoskeletal Risk in Physiotherapy Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Acronym: ERGO-PT

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 1, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 1, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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