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This study evaluates a workstation ergonomics program at Al-Baha University aimed at reducing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among university employees who use computers regularly. The program includes an ergonomics self-assessment of the workstation, individualized guidance on proper workstation setup and posture, and practical recommendations to improve daily work habits. Participants will be followed for approximately four weeks, and changes in musculoskeletal symptoms and related outcomes will be assessed before and after the program, compared with a usual-practice control group.
This was a four-week, two-arm, parallel-group, open-label randomized controlled trial conducted among university employees at Al-Baha University. Eligible participants were randomized to either a workstation ergonomics intervention group or a usual-practice control group. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at the 4-week follow-up. The intervention consisted of a structured workstation ergonomics package including a computer workstation self-assessment checklist, individualized feedback and practical recommendations to optimize workstation arrangement and working posture, and brief reminders to support adherence during the follow-up period. The primary objective was to evaluate whether the ergonomics program reduced musculoskeletal symptom burden compared with usual practice in a real-world university workplace setting.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ergonomics Program (Intervention) | Experimental | Participants will receive an office-workstation ergonomics program including a self-assessment checklist-based evaluation and tailored recommendations for workstation adjustment and safe working posture, along with brief educational guidance and periodic follow-up reminders during the study period. |
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| Usual Practice (Control) | Active Comparator | Participants will continue their usual workstation practices during the study period and will not receive the ergonomics recommendations/education until after completion of follow-up assessment. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workstation Ergonomics Program | Behavioral | Participants in the intervention arm will complete an online computer workstation self-assessment checklist. Based on their responses, they will receive individualized workstation ergonomics guidance and educational materials covering optimal sitting posture and workstation setup (chair/desk height, monitor position, keyboard/mouse placement, and lighting), as well as recommendations for regular micro-breaks and simple stretching. Guidance will be delivered electronically after baseline assessment, and participants will be encouraged to implement the recommendations throughout the follow-up period (4 weeks) with reinforcement reminders. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change in number of painful body regions | Change from baseline to the 4-week follow-up in musculoskeletal symptom burden, operationalized as the number of body regions with self-reported musculoskeletal pain or symptoms during the previous 7 days, assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Higher values indicate a greater musculoskeletal symptom burden. Outcomes will be compared between the intervention and control arms. | Baseline and 4 weeks. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change in workstation ergonomic quality score | Change from baseline to the 4-week follow-up in workstation ergonomic quality, measured using a structured computer workstation ergonomics self-assessment checklist. Higher scores indicate better workstation ergonomic quality. Outcomes will be compared between the intervention and control arms. | Baseline and 4 weeks |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Baha University | Al Bahah | 59865 | Saudi Arabia |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D009140 | Musculoskeletal Diseases |
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Two-arm parallel-group study (intervention vs control) with pre-post assessments.
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Open-label; no masking was implemented.
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| Usual Practice (Control) | Behavioral | Participants in the control arm will receive no ergonomics training, individualized recommendations, or educational materials during the study period and will continue their usual computer workstation practices. After completion of follow-up assessments, the control group will be offered the same ergonomics educational materials and general workstation guidance provided to the intervention arm. |
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| Change in total musculoskeletal pain severity score | Change from baseline to the 4-week follow-up in total musculoskeletal pain severity, calculated by summing pain severity ratings across assessed body regions. Higher scores indicate greater overall pain severity. Outcomes will be compared between the intervention and control arms. | Baseline and 4 weeks |