Effects of Ergonomics Education on Muscle Activation, Posture, and Musculoskeletal Risk in Physiotherapy Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 50
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Change in Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) Score
研究概览
简要总结
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.
详细描述
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.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Prevention
- 盲法
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 —（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •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.
排除标准
- •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.
研究组 & 干预措施
Ergonomics Education Group
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.
干预措施: Ergonomics Education (Behavioral)
Control Group
Participants did not receive ergonomics education during the study period and continued their usual clinical internship activities.
结局指标
主要结局
Change in Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) Score
时间窗: 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.
次要结局
- Upper Trapezius Muscle Activation(Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention)
- Middle Trapezius Muscle Activation(Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention)
- Postural Deviations(Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention)
- Postural Habits and Awareness(Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention)
- Musculoskeletal Discomfort(Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention)
- Fatigue(Baseline, first working day after completion of the 2-week intervention, and 6 weeks after the intervention)
研究者
Ece ACAR
Assistant Professor
Karabuk University