Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of a Tele-Education-Based Ergonomic and Hand Exercise Program in Office Workers

Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of a Tele-Education-Based Ergonomic and Hand Exercise Program in Office Workers

Many office workers spend long hours at desks, which can lead to hand and upper limb problems. These issues may reduce hand strength and affect daily activities and work performance.

This study will evaluate whether an online ergonomic training and hand exercise program is practical and helpful for desk-based workers over four weeks.

Researchers will measure hand grip strength and fine motor skills before and after the program to assess its potential benefits.

Prolonged desk-based work and increased screen time have been associated with a higher risk of upper extremity musculoskeletal problems, particularly affecting hand function. Reduced grip strength and impaired fine motor skills may negatively influence daily activities and work performance in office workers. Maintaining and improving hand function is therefore an important component of occupational health in this population.

Tele-education-based interventions have gained increasing attention as accessible and scalable approaches to deliver ergonomic training and exercise programs. However, current evidence on online interventions specifically targeting hand function in desk-based workers remains limited.

This study is designed as a single-group pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of a tele-education-based ergonomic training and hand exercise program in office workers. The intervention will be conducted over four weeks and will include online ergonomic education and structured hand exercises delivered under physiotherapist supervision. In addition to supervised sessions, participants will be encouraged to continue the exercises as part of a home-based program.

The feasibility of the program will be explored in terms of its applicability in a remote setting. The potential effects of the intervention on hand function will be examined through changes observed before and after the program. The findings of this study are expected to provide preliminary evidence to inform the design of future controlled trials and contribute to the development of accessible interventions for desk-based workers.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged between 18 and 60 years
• Working at a desk for at least 5 hours per day
• Having no regular exercise habits
• Not having received prior training related to office ergonomics, hand dexterity, or grip strength
• Working in a desk-based job for at least 1 year
• Willing to participate and providing written informed consen

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of surgery involving the wrist or hand
• Diagnosis of a neurological disorder
• Inability to maintain regular participation during the training program