Investigating work-related musculoskeletal disorders in certain jobs

ISRCTN ISRCTN16465417
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16465417
Secondary identifying numbers KB/130/FI/2018
Submission date
09/12/2019
Registration date
30/12/2019
Last edited
16/11/2020
Recruitment status
Suspended
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Musculoskeletal disorders (health problems related to bones, muscles, joints etc) that have been caused by work are a common reason for sick leave from work. Musculoskeletal disorders of all causes were responsible for between 2 and 3 of every 10 days absent from work in 2017/2018 in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK. Long-term work-related overloading and stressing of the body can cause problems with posture, pain, imbalance between the two legs and changes to gait (walking pattern). This study aims to investigate whether certain musculoskeletal disorders are more common in certain jobs.

Who can participate?
Women and men in selected professions (orchestra musicians, office workers, fitness instructors, physiotherapists, nurses, midwives, dentists, hairdressers, teachers and IT specialists), who have been working in the profession for at least 5 years.

What does the study involve?
Each person will visit the research team once only. They will have certain physical measurements taken to assess the symmetry of their spine and body and the way they walk (gait). They will also fill in questionnaires about their level of physical activity, pain, the effect of low back pain on their life and their quality of life.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants might benefit from learning about their posture, causes of pain and ways to prevent problems. This is an observational study, which means the study is not assigning a treatment to the participants, so there is no risk associated with the study treatment.

Where is the study run from?
University of Opole (Poland)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
November 2018 to December 2021

Who is funding the study?
University of Opole (Poland)

Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Antonina Kaczorowska, antonina.kaczorowska@uni.opole.pl
2. Dr Agata Mroczek, agata.mroczek@uni.opole.pl
3. Dr Ewelina Lepsy, ewelina.lepsy@uni.opole.pl

Study website

Contact information

Dr Antonina Kaczorowska
Public

University of Opole
Kopernika Square 11a
Opole
45-040
Poland

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-0488-8583
Phone +48 (0)774423546
Email antonina.kaczorowska@uni.opole.pl
Dr Agata Mroczek
Scientific

University of Opole
Kopernika Square 11a
Opole
45-040
Poland

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-5246-0792
Phone +48 (0)774423546
Email agata.mroczek@uni.opole.pl
Dr Ewelina Lepsy
Scientific

University of Opole
Kopernika Square 11a
Opole
45-040
Poland

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0003-3663-9888
Phone +48 (0)774423546
Email ewelina.lepsy@uni.opole.pl

Study information

Study designCross-sectional study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCross sectional study
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeScreening
Participant information sheet Information for participants can be found on the following website: https://wnoz.uni.opole.pl/projekty-badawcze/
Scientific titleThe analysis of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in selected occupations.
Study objectives1. Long-term work with heavy load causes pain and overloading of the musculoskeletal system.
2. Long-term work in an occupation with asymmetric load causes posture defects and scoliosis and the differences in load of lower limbs.
3. Long-lasting work in an occupation with asymmetrical load causes asymmetry of gait.
4. Properly conducted physical activity improves posture and gait and reduces pain.
Ethics approval(s)Current ethics approval as of 06/02/2020:
1. Approved 04/12/2018, Opole Medical School Research Ethics Committee (68 Katowicka Street; Opole 45-065, Poland; +48 774410882; biurorektora@wsm.opole.pl), ref: KB/130/FI/2018
2. Extended by 06/02/2020 to include other professions as well as musicians, Opole Medical School Research Ethics Committee (68 Katowicka Street; Opole 45-065, Poland; +48 774410882; biurorektora@wsm.opole.pl), ref: KB/240/FI/2020


Previous ethics approval:
Approved 04/12/2018, Opole Medical School Research Ethics Committee (68 Katowicka Street; Opole 45-065, Poland; +48 774410882; biurorektora@wsm.opole.pl), ref: KB/130/FI/2018
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedMusculoskeletal disorders
InterventionThe research is observational and cross-sectional. Each person will be examined only once. There will be no remeasurements or follow up.

There will be no randomization. The representatives of selected jobs - 12 groups of 30 people each - will be examined: musicians (violinists, cellists and musicians playing symmetrical instruments), office workers, fitness instructors, physiotherapists, nurses, midwives, dentists, hairdressers, academic teachers, IT (computer) specialists.

Each person will be measured: torso rotation angle measured using a Bunnell scoliometer, distribution of the body's centre of gravity assessed using a posturography platform , difference between the load of lower limbs assessed using the two weight test, gait parameters using a gait track for gait analysis, physical activity assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) questionnaire, quality of life assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF scale, disability related to low back pain assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index, effect of low back pain on daily functioning assessed using the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire. In addition, the participants will assess their pain using a visual analogue scale and a self-reported questionnaire.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. Pain assessed using a visual analogue scale
2. Duration of pain assessed using a self-reported questionnaire
3. Pain severity assessed using a self-reported questionnaire
4. Pain frequency assessed using a self-reported questionnaire
5. Pain location assessed using a self-reported questionnaire
6. Quality of life assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF scale
7. Disability related to low back pain assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index
8. Effect of low back pain on daily functioning assessed using the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire
Secondary outcome measures1. Torso rotation angle measured using a Bunnell scoliometer
2. Distribution of the body's centre of gravity assessed using a posturography platform
3. Difference between the load of lower limbs assessed using the two weight test
4. Gait parameters using a gait track for gait analysis
5. Physical activity assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) questionnaire
Overall study start date05/11/2018
Completion date31/12/2021

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Mixed
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participants400
Key inclusion criteria1. Representatives of selected professions: musicians, office workers, fitness instructors, physiotherapists, nurses, midwifes, dentists, hairdressers, academic teachers, IT (computer) specialists.
2. Minimum 5 years of work experience
Key exclusion criteria1. Infections
2. Acute injuries
3. Balance system and motor control disorders
4. Cancer
5. Pregnancy
6. Chronic wounds
Date of first enrolment07/01/2020
Date of final enrolment31/08/2021

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Poland

Study participating centre

University of Opole
Kopernika Square 11a
Opole
45-040
Poland

Sponsor information

Opole University
University/education

Kopernika Square 11a
Opole
45-040
Poland

Phone +48(0)77 44 23 524
Email snw@wsm.opole.pl
Website https://uni.opole.pl/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04gbpnx96

Funders

Funder type

University/education

Opole University

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date15/04/2022
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publications in peer-reviewed journals.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated and/or analysed during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication.

Editorial Notes

16/11/2020: The trial website, participant information sheet link, trial participating centre, plain English summary, contact details, sponsor details and funder were all updated to change the institution from Opole Medical School to University of Opole.
09/04/2020: Due to current public health guidance, recruitment for this study has been paused.
06/02/2020: The ethics approval has been updated.
12/12/2019: Trial's existence confirmed by Opole Medical School Research Ethics Committee.