Investigating work-related musculoskeletal disorders in certain jobs
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN16465417 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16465417 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | KB/130/FI/2018 |
| Sponsor | Opole University |
| Funder | Opole University |
- 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
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
Contact information
Public
University of Opole
Kopernika Square 11a
Opole
45-040
Poland
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-0488-8583 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +48 (0)774423546 |
| antonina.kaczorowska@uni.opole.pl |
Scientific
University of Opole
Kopernika Square 11a
Opole
45-040
Poland
| ORCID ID |
0000-0002-5246-0792 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +48 (0)774423546 |
| agata.mroczek@uni.opole.pl |
Scientific
University of Opole
Kopernika Square 11a
Opole
45-040
Poland
| ORCID ID |
0000-0003-3663-9888 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +48 (0)774423546 |
| ewelina.lepsy@uni.opole.pl |
Study information
| Primary study design | Observational |
|---|---|
| Study design | Cross-sectional study |
| Secondary study design | Cross sectional study |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | The analysis of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in selected occupations. |
| Study objectives | 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(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) studied | 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 |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
1. Pain assessed using a visual analogue scale |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Torso rotation angle measured using a Bunnell scoliometer |
| Completion date | 31/12/2021 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Mixed |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 400 |
| Key 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 |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Infections 2. Acute injuries 3. Balance system and motor control disorders 4. Cancer 5. Pregnancy 6. Chronic wounds |
| Date of first enrolment | 07/01/2020 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/08/2021 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Poland
Study participating centre
Opole
45-040
Poland
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated and/or analysed during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
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.
