Effects of a Real-time Videoconference-based Exercise Program in Eldercare Workers: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 130
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Change from baseline average pain intensity at 12 weeks
Study Overview
Brief Summary
Formal caregiving of elderly dependent people is a both physically and psychologically demanding job, and both musculoskeletal and mental disorders with a negative impact in general health and quality of life are habitual among eldercare workers. Previous research has shown that physical exercise programs can reduce and/or prevent those disorders, consequently improving well-being at work.
Online exercise interventions might be a cost-effective tool, as they can reach a large number of people at a relatively low cost. Moreover, they are compatible with situations in which interpersonal physical distancing is required, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, real-time videoconference-based exercise interventions have not yet been studied in working populations.
Thus, the aim of this study is to assess the effects of a real-time videoconference-based exercise intervention in eldercare workers. The primary outcome will be low back pain. Pain in neck, shoulders and wrists/hands will also be recorded, as well as additional measures of physical fitness, psychoaffective state, health and work-related variables. All outcomes will be measured at baseline and at 12-week and 48-week follow-ups.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Supportive Care
- Masking
- Double (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking Description
The investigators in charge of doing the statistical analysis and assessing the outcome measures (e.g., physical performance tests) will be blinded to group allocation. Due to the characteristics of the study, blinding of the participants (i.e., eldercare workers) and the care provider (i.e., professional conducting the exercise sessions) to the group allocation is not possible.
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Professional eldercare workers with ≥3 months of experience in the profession
- •Employment contract at least until the anticipated date of study end
Exclusion Criteria
- •Pregnancy
- •Contraindication to exercise according to the American College of Sports Medicine Guidelines
Arms & Interventions
Exercise program
Participants in the experimental group will take part in a 12-week exercise program.
Intervention: Real-time videoconference-based Exercise program (Behavioral)
Control
Participants in the control group will not receive any intervention.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change from baseline average pain intensity at 12 weeks
Time Frame: At baseline and at 12-week follow-up
Average pain intensity during the last 7 days in a Numerical Rating Scale for pain ranging from 0 (complete absence of pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). This information will be collected for pain in the low back, neck, shoulders and wrists/hands.
Change from baseline highest pain intensity at 12 weeks
Time Frame: At baseline and at 12-week follow-up
Highest pain intensity during the last 7 days in a Numerical Rating Scale for pain ranging from 0 (complete absence of pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). This information will be collected for pain in the low back, neck, shoulders and wrists/hands.
Change from baseline highest pain intensity at 48 weeks
Time Frame: At baseline and at 48-week follow-up
Highest pain intensity during the last 7 days in a Numerical Rating Scale for pain ranging from 0 (complete absence of pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). This information will be collected for pain in the low back, neck, shoulders and wrists/hands.
Change from baseline pain frequency at 12 weeks
Time Frame: At baseline and at 12-week follow-up
Number of days in pain during the last 7 days (0-7). This information will be collected for pain in the low back, neck, shoulders and wrists/hands.
Change from baseline average pain intensity at 48 weeks
Time Frame: At baseline and at 48-week follow-up
Average pain intensity during the last 7 days in a Numerical Rating Scale for pain ranging from 0 (complete absence of pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). This information will be collected for pain in the low back, neck, shoulders and wrists/hands.
Change from baseline pain interference at 48 weeks
Time Frame: At baseline and at 48-week follow-up
Number of days in which pain negatively interferes with work during the last 7 days of work (0-7). This information will be collected for pain in the low back, neck, shoulders and wrists/hands.
Change from baseline pain frequency at 48 weeks
Time Frame: At baseline and at 48-week follow-up
Number of days in pain during the last 7 days (0-7). This information will be collected for pain in the low back, neck, shoulders and wrists/hands.
Change from baseline pain interference at 12 weeks
Time Frame: At baseline and at 12-week follow-up
Number of days in which pain negatively interferes with work during the last 7 days of work (0-7). This information will be collected for pain in the low back, neck, shoulders and wrists/hands.
Secondary Outcomes
- 5-repetition sit-to-stand test(At baseline and at 12-week and 48-week follow-ups)
- Subjective Happiness scale(At baseline and at 12-week and 48-week follow-ups)
- Analgesic medication consumption frequency(At baseline and at 12-week and 48-week follow-ups)
- Shirado-Ito trunk flexor endurance test(At baseline and at 12-week and 48-week follow-ups)
- Hypnotic/anxiolytic medication consumption frequency(At baseline and at 12-week and 48-week follow-ups)
- EuroQol-5D 0-100 health state scale(At baseline and at 12-week and 48-week follow-ups)
- Work Ability(At baseline and at 12-week and 48-week follow-ups)
- Work Performance(At baseline and at 12-week and 48-week follow-ups)
- Kneeling push-up test(At baseline and at 12-week and 48-week follow-ups)
- Maslach Burnout Inventory(At baseline and at 12-week and 48-week follow-ups)
- Single-Item Sleep Quality Scale(At baseline and at 12-week and 48-week follow-ups)
- Goldberg Anxiety and Depression scale(At baseline and at 12-week and 48-week follow-ups)
- Borg's CR-10 scale for perceived physical exertion at work(At baseline and at 12-week and 48-week follow-ups)
- Absenteeism(At baseline and at 12-week and 48-week follow-ups)
Investigators
Ander Espin
Predoctoral Researcher
University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)