The Computer Automated Pause Software (CAPS) study: randomised controlled trial in the effectiveness of pause software in VDU workers

ISRCTN ISRCTN13222474
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN13222474
Secondary identifying numbers NTR44
Submission date
04/08/2005
Registration date
04/08/2005
Last edited
04/06/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Injury, Occupational Diseases, Poisoning
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr E M Meijer
Scientific

Academic Medical Center (AMC)
Coronel Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health
P.O. Box 22660
Meibergdreef 9
Amsterdam
1100 DE
Netherlands

Phone +31 (0)20 566 2799
Email e.m.meijer@amc.uva.nl

Study information

Study designRandomised, single-blinded, active controlled, parallel group trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Not specified
Study typeTreatment
Scientific titleThe Computer Automated Pause Software (CAPS) study: randomised controlled trial in the effectiveness of pause software in VDU workers for prevention of work related upper extremity complaints
Study acronymCAPS study
Study objectivesComplaints of arm, neck, shoulders, non-specific pain of the upper extremities, repetitive strain injury (RSI).

The aim of this study is twofold: on the one hand to investigate whether use of break software reduces risk factors in VDU work and on the other hand whether RSI complaints are prevented and reduced.

Research questions:
1. Does the use of break software lead to a reduction of RSI risk factors in VDU workers, compared to not using break software?
2. Does efficient use of break software lead to prevention of RSI complaints in VDU workers compared to VDU workers that do not have break software to their disposal?
3. Does efficient use of break software lead to a reduction of existing RSI complaints in VDU workers compared to VDU workers that do not have break software to their disposal?
Ethics approval(s)Not provided at time of registration
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedRepetitive strain injury (RSI)
InterventionThe intervention group will have break software at their disposal in an active way: they will know how to set up and use the software and will have background information on the possible benefits of the break software.

The control group will not have break software at their disposal.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. Main outcomes are prevalence and incidence of RSI risk factors and complaints. A worker will be defined as an RSI case if symptoms are present on at least 4 days during at least 1 week in the last 12 months. Symptoms have to be present in one or more of the upper extremity body regions: neck, upper back, shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist and/or hand (SALTSA definition).
2. Duration of computer use will be registered with WorkPace registration software
3. Complaints will be measured with the QuickDASH questionnaire. Pain and complaints in the previous 24 hours will be measured with a Visual Analogue Scale. The average pain intensity will be evaluated by the worker on an 11-point numerical scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (as much as can be imagined).
Secondary outcome measures1. Data on costs will be gathered from several sources
2. Data on sick leave will be gathered from the company's registration
3. Direct costs (visits to the general practitioner etc.) due to upper limb musculoskeletal disorders will be gathered by questionnaire
4. Data on productivity will be collected by registering the amount of processed claims
Overall study start date22/08/2005
Completion date28/02/2007

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participants600
Total final enrolment354
Key inclusion criteriaWorkers with at least 4 hours of VDU work per day. In light of the prevalence of complaints, a maximum of 40% of the included workers will have (or will have had) RSI complaints.
Key exclusion criteriaAll other than the inclusion criteria.
Date of first enrolment22/08/2005
Date of final enrolment28/02/2007

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Netherlands

Study participating centre

Academic Medical Center (AMC)
Amsterdam
1100 DE
Netherlands

Sponsor information

Academic Medical Center (AMC) (The Netherlands)
University/education

Coronel Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health
P.O. Box 22700
Amsterdam
1100 DE
Netherlands

Phone +31 (0)20 566 2831
Email i.a.steenstra@amc.uva.nl
Website http://www.amc.nl
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03t4gr691

Funders

Funder type

Government

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (The Netherlands)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/05/2009 04/06/2019 Yes No

Editorial Notes

04/06/2019: Total final enrolment and publication reference were added.