Postural Awareness, Work-Related Musculoskeletal Risk, Postural Control
Conditions
Keywords
Tele-rehabilitation, Postural Awareness, Ergonomic Risk, Cervical Proprioception, Musicians
Brief summary
This randomized controlled study investigates the effects of an eight-week tele-based postural awareness and pranayama-based breathing program on work-related ergonomic risk and cervical somatosensory function in flute students. A total of 30 undergraduate flute students were randomly allocated to either an intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group received a structured tele-rehabilitation program focusing on postural awareness exercises and pranayama-based breathing practices for eight weeks, while the control group did not receive any intervention during the study period. Primary outcomes include work-related ergonomic risk assessed using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and cervical somatosensory function evaluated through cervical joint position sense (horizontal, vertical, and global error). Secondary outcomes include deep cervical flexor muscle endurance, perceived fatigue, postural awareness, and musical performance anxiety. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after the eight-week intervention period. The study aims to determine whether a tele-based postural awareness and breathing intervention can effectively reduce ergonomic risk and improve sensorimotor function in flute students who are exposed to prolonged asymmetric postures during instrument practice.
Detailed description
This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of a tele-based postural awareness and pranayama-based breathing program on ergonomic risk, cervical somatosensory function, and selected secondary outcomes in flute students. Thirty undergraduate flute students enrolled in the Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Music, were recruited and randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). Participants were required to have regular flute practice and no history of neurological or musculoskeletal disorders affecting the cervical region. The intervention group participated in an eight-week tele-rehabilitation program consisting of postural awareness exercises and pranayama-based breathing practices. Sessions were delivered remotely and focused on improving postural alignment, body awareness, controlled breathing, and sensorimotor control relevant to prolonged instrument practice. The control group did not receive any intervention during the study period and continued their usual daily activities. Outcome assessments were conducted at baseline and at the end of the eight-week intervention period. Primary outcome measures included work-related ergonomic risk, assessed using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and cervical somatosensory function, evaluated through cervical joint position sense testing in horizontal, vertical, and global directions. Secondary outcome measures included deep cervical flexor muscle endurance, perceived fatigue assessed using the Modified Borg Scale, postural awareness, and musical performance anxiety assessed using a validated questionnaire. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a tele-based postural awareness and breathing intervention in reducing ergonomic risk and improving sensorimotor function in flute students exposed to prolonged asymmetric postures during musical practice.
Interventions
OTHERNo Intervention
Participants do not receive any intervention and continue their usual daily activities and regular
BEHAVIORALTele-Based Postural Awareness and Pranayama-Based Breathing Program
An 8-week tele-rehabilitation program delivered remotely, focusing on postural awareness exercises and pranayama-based breathing practices.
Sponsors
Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial) Allocation: Randomized Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment Masking: None (Open Label) Primary Purpose: Prevention Number of Arms: 2
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 28 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Aged between 18 and 28 years * Enrolled as a student in the Department of Music at the Faculty of Fine Arts or Faculty of Education * Has been playing the flute for at least 3 years * Willing to participate in the study and able to provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* History of upper extremity surgery * Presence of any diagnosed neurological disorder * History of cardiovascular disease * Presence of an acute musculoskeletal injury that could affect performance
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Total RULA Score and RULA B Score | Baseline and 8 weeks | Postural ergonomic risk is assessed during flute performance using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), which evaluates neck, trunk, and upper limb posture. The total RULA score ranges from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating greater ergonomic risk. |
| Cervical Somatosensory Function (Joint Position Sense - JPS) | Baseline and 8 weeks | Cervical joint position sense is assessed using a laser-pointer repositioning method during flexion, extension, and rotation movements. Horizontal, vertical, and global angular errors are calculated. Higher error values indicate reduced proprioceptive accuracy. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Postural Habits and Awareness Scale (PAFÖ) total score | Baseline and 8 weeks | A self-reported scale assessing postural habits and postural awareness across four domains: posture habit and awareness, awareness of posture-disturbing factors, position awareness, and ergonomic awareness. Higher scores indicate better postural awareness. |
| Deep Cervical Flexor Muscle Endurance | Baseline and 8 weeks | Participants maintain a chin-tuck with slight head lift in supine position. The duration the position is maintained without compensation is recorded in seconds. |
| Modified Borg Scale score | Baseline and 8 weeks | Fatigue is assessed using the Modified Borg Scale, which measures perceived exertion and fatigue following classes, rehearsals, and performances. |
| Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (K-MPAI) total score | Baseline and 8 weeks | A validated 25-item questionnaire assessing musical performance anxiety across psychological, somatic, and control-related domains. Higher scores indicate greater performance anxiety.Total score on the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (range 0-240), where higher scores indicate greater performance anxiety. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed