Exercise-Assisted Ergonomic Training for Pain, Sleep, and Anxiety in Nursing Students: RCT

The Effect of Exercise-Assisted Ergonomic Training on Pain, Sleep Quality, and Anxiety Levels in Nursing Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of exercise-assisted ergonomic training on pain, sleep quality, and anxiety levels among nursing students. The study population consists of students enrolled in the Nursing Department of Kütahya Health Sciences University. Sixty participants will be recruited according to inclusion criteria and randomly assigned into intervention and control groups.

The intervention group will receive a structured ergonomic training program combined with exercise sessions, including theoretical lectures and practical exercise videos delivered twice a week for four weeks. The control group will continue with their standard nursing curriculum without additional ergonomic or exercise support. Data will be collected using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and State Anxiety Inventory before and after the intervention.

The study is expected to provide evidence on the effectiveness of ergonomic and exercise-based strategies in reducing pain, improving sleep quality, and lowering anxiety among nursing students, supporting the integration of such programs into nursing education.

Objective:

This study aims to evaluate the effect of exercise-assisted ergonomic training on pain, sleep quality, and anxiety levels among nursing students.

Study Design:

This is a randomized controlled experimental trial. Sixty nursing students who meet inclusion criteria and volunteer to participate will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (Group A) or control group (Group B), with 30 participants per group. Randomization will be performed using computer-assisted software (www.randomization.com

).

Intervention:

Theoretical Training: The intervention group will receive two theoretical training sessions covering ergonomics, posture analysis, body mechanics, ergonomic risks in nursing, and recommended exercises.

Practical Exercise Sessions: Over four weeks, participants will complete eight exercise sessions (2 per week, 30-40 minutes each) via videos demonstrating warm-up, stretching, strengthening, balance, and posture exercises. The sessions will be supervised by an exercise expert to ensure safety and proper technique.

The control group will continue with the standard nursing curriculum without additional ergonomic or exercise support.

Data Collection:

Data will be collected before and after the intervention using:

Demographic Characteristics Form

Numeric Pain Rating Scale

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

State Anxiety Inventory

Blinding and Bias Prevention:

Participants will be blinded to the group assignments. Data collection will be conducted by a second researcher unaware of the group allocations, and a third researcher will analyze the data while blinded to group identity. CONSORT guidelines will be followed in reporting the results.

Expected Outcomes:

The study is expected to provide evidence on the effectiveness of exercise-assisted ergonomic training in reducing pain, improving sleep quality, and lowering anxiety levels among nursing students, supporting the integration of ergonomic and exercise-based strategies in nursing education.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being a student in the Nursing Department of Kütahya Health Sciences University.
• Willingness to participate in the study voluntarily.
• No chronic diseases preventing exercise (e.g., COPD, heart failure).
• No hearing impairments.
• No psychiatric diagnosis (e.g., major depression, anxiety disorders) and not using related medications.
• Ability to use a smartphone (iOS or Android) and have internet access.
• No neurological, systemic, or psychiatric disorders.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Students unwilling to participate in the study.
• Developing any health problem during the intervention period.
• Unable to continue participation for any reason.
• Voluntarily withdrawing from the study.
• Pain level above 5 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale at baseline; such participants will be referred to a physiotherapist.
• Any adverse events during exercise sessions (e.g., sudden pain, dizziness, fatigue, blood pressure changes) will result in immediate cessation of the exercise, monitoring of the participant, and referral to the nearest healthcare facility if necessary. Emergency first aid will be provided if needed, and the responsible researcher will contact the relevant health services immediately.