The Effect of a Posture Protection Program on Musculoskeletal Disorders, Ergonomic Risk Levels, and Postural Awareness of Hospital Cleaning Staff: A Quasi-Experimental Study
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 入组人数
- 60
研究概览
简要总结
Cleaning work, particularly in hospital settings, is an occupation that demands high physical load on both the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. Hospital cleaning workers are at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to prolonged standing, heavy lifting, bending, pushing-pulling, and repetitive movements. This situation reduces employees' quality of life and leads to workforce loss and economic burden on the health system.
Despite this, the risk levels of cleaning workers are often not adequately assessed and preventive interventions remain limited. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the effect of the Posture Protection Program (POSKOP), developed for hospital cleaning workers, on musculoskeletal discomfort, ergonomic risk levels, and postural awareness.
The study is planned as a quasi-experimental design to be conducted with 60 cleaning staff working in two public hospitals. Ergonomic risk assessment will be performed using the Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS) and will be objectively analyzed through developed software.
The intervention program consists of multi-component elements such as training, individual observation, instant feedback, exercise practices, visual materials (posters and pocket cards), and digital reminders (WhatsApp messages). The intervention is expected to reduce employees' musculoskeletal discomfort levels and increase their ergonomic awareness.
详细描述
AIM / RATIONALE:
The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the posture protection program on musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomic risk levels, and postural awareness among hospital cleaning workers.
The hypotheses of the study are as follows:
H1-1: Following the posture protection program, the intervention group will show a reduction in musculoskeletal disorders compared to the control group.
H1-2: Following the posture protection program, the intervention group will show a reduction in ergonomic risk levels compared to the control group.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Non Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Prevention
- 盲法
- Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
盲法说明
Blinding and Bias Prevention Since the intervention and control groups will be drawn from different hospitals, participants will be unaware of their group assignment and will thus be blinded. However, the principal investigator of the study will not be able to be blinded due to the nature of the study. To minimize the risk of bias in the results, video recordings of participants will be taken to assess their MSD risk and will be objectively evaluated through the software to be developed; this is also important in terms of preventing subjectivity and error in the assessment of these recordings. In addition, a code will be assigned to the study groups and data analysis is planned to be carried out by an independent statistician who is unaware of the group names, thereby also aiming to prevent bias in the interpretation of the results.
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 —（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Employed as an active hospital cleaning staff member for at least 12 months Working in inpatient hospital units Willing to participate in the study and providing written informed consent voluntarily Working in daytime shifts during the study period
排除标准
- •Having received training on the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders within the last 12 months Having congenital or acquired physical disabilities Having a previously diagnosed musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) Not performing routine cleaning duties (e.g., supervisors or administrative staff)
研究组 & 干预措施
Posture Protection Program
Participants in this group will receive a structured posture protection program including training on correct body mechanics, ergonomic principles, and postural awareness exercises.
干预措施: Posture Protection Program (Behavioral)
Routine Practice
Participants assigned to the control group will continue their routine hospital cleaning duties without receiving any additional intervention during the study period. No posture training, ergonomic education, or exercise program will be provided. Data collection will be conducted at baseline and follow-up using the same assessment tools as the intervention group. After completion of the study and post-test assessments, the posture protection program will be offered to the control group for ethical reasons.