Plain English Summary
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
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Public
Primary contact
Dr Antonina Kaczorowska
ORCID ID
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0488-8583
Contact details
University of Opole
Kopernika Square 11a
Opole
45-040
Poland
+48 (0)774423546
antonina.kaczorowska@uni.opole.pl
Type
Scientific
Additional contact
Dr Agata Mroczek
ORCID ID
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5246-0792
Contact details
University of Opole
Kopernika Square 11a
Opole
45-040
Poland
+48 (0)774423546
agata.mroczek@uni.opole.pl
Type
Scientific
Additional contact
Dr Ewelina Lepsy
ORCID ID
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3663-9888
Contact details
University of Opole
Kopernika Square 11a
Opole
45-040
Poland
+48 (0)774423546
ewelina.lepsy@uni.opole.pl
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
Nil known
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Nil known
Protocol/serial number
KB/130/FI/2018
Study information
Scientific title
The analysis of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in selected occupations.
Acronym
Study hypothesis
1. 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
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
Study design
Cross-sectional study
Primary study design
Observational
Secondary study design
Cross sectional study
Trial setting
Other
Trial type
Screening
Patient information sheet
Information for participants can be found on the following website: https://wnoz.uni.opole.pl/projekty-badawcze/
Condition
Musculoskeletal disorders
Intervention
The 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 type
Other
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
1. 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 measures
1. 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 trial start date
05/11/2018
Overall trial end date
31/12/2021
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. 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
Participant type
Mixed
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
400
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Infections
2. Acute injuries
3. Balance system and motor control disorders
4. Cancer
5. Pregnancy
6. Chronic wounds
Recruitment start date
07/01/2020
Recruitment end date
31/08/2021
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Poland
Trial participating centre
University of Opole
Kopernika Square 11a
Opole
45-040
Poland
Sponsor information
Organisation
Opole University
Sponsor details
Kopernika Square 11a
Opole
45-040
Poland
+48(0)77 44 23 524
snw@wsm.opole.pl
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Funder name
Opole University
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Planned publications in peer-reviewed journals.
IPD sharing statement:
The datasets generated and/or analysed during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication.
Intention to publish date
15/04/2022
Participant level data
To be made available at a later date
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list