Musculoskeletal Disorders, Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders, Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
Conditions
Brief summary
This study evaluates a workstation ergonomics program at Al-Baha University aimed at reducing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among university employees who use computers regularly. The program includes an ergonomics self-assessment of the workstation, individualized guidance on proper workstation setup and posture, and practical recommendations to improve daily work habits. Participants will be followed for approximately four weeks, and changes in musculoskeletal symptoms and related outcomes will be assessed before and after the program, compared with a usual-practice control group.
Detailed description
This was a four-week, two-arm, parallel-group, open-label randomized controlled trial conducted among university employees at Al-Baha University. Eligible participants were randomized to either a workstation ergonomics intervention group or a usual-practice control group. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at the 4-week follow-up. The intervention consisted of a structured workstation ergonomics package including a computer workstation self-assessment checklist, individualized feedback and practical recommendations to optimize workstation arrangement and working posture, and brief reminders to support adherence during the follow-up period. The primary objective was to evaluate whether the ergonomics program reduced musculoskeletal symptom burden compared with usual practice in a real-world university workplace setting.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALWorkstation Ergonomics Program
Participants in the intervention arm will complete an online computer workstation self-assessment checklist. Based on their responses, they will receive individualized workstation ergonomics guidance and educational materials covering optimal sitting posture and workstation setup (chair/desk height, monitor position, keyboard/mouse placement, and lighting), as well as recommendations for regular micro-breaks and simple stretching. Guidance will be delivered electronically after baseline assessment, and participants will be encouraged to implement the recommendations throughout the follow-up period (4 weeks) with reinforcement reminders.
BEHAVIORALUsual Practice (Control)
Participants in the control arm will receive no ergonomics training, individualized recommendations, or educational materials during the study period and will continue their usual computer workstation practices. After completion of follow-up assessments, the control group will be offered the same ergonomics educational materials and general workstation guidance provided to the intervention arm.
Sponsors
Al-Baha University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Masking description
Open-label; no masking was implemented.
Intervention model description
Two-arm parallel-group study (intervention vs control) with pre-post assessments.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Adults aged 18-55 years. * Affiliated with Al-Baha University (staff, or faculty) and regularly use a computer workstation (≥3 hours/day or ≥15 hours/week). * Able to read and complete the online questionnaire and provide informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Current severe musculoskeletal disorder or recent major injury/surgery that markedly limits daily activities or requires ongoing medical treatment. * Diagnosed neurological or rheumatologic condition affecting the musculoskeletal system (e.g., severe radiculopathy, inflammatory arthritis). * Pregnancy (if you prefer to exclude it). * Participation in another ergonomics intervention program during the study period.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in number of painful body regions | Baseline and 4 weeks. | Change from baseline to the 4-week follow-up in musculoskeletal symptom burden, operationalized as the number of body regions with self-reported musculoskeletal pain or symptoms during the previous 7 days, assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Higher values indicate a greater musculoskeletal symptom burden. Outcomes will be compared between the intervention and control arms. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in workstation ergonomic quality score | Baseline and 4 weeks | Change from baseline to the 4-week follow-up in workstation ergonomic quality, measured using a structured computer workstation ergonomics self-assessment checklist. Higher scores indicate better workstation ergonomic quality. Outcomes will be compared between the intervention and control arms. |
| Change in total musculoskeletal pain severity score | Baseline and 4 weeks | Change from baseline to the 4-week follow-up in total musculoskeletal pain severity, calculated by summing pain severity ratings across assessed body regions. Higher scores indicate greater overall pain severity. Outcomes will be compared between the intervention and control arms. |
Countries
Saudi Arabia
Outcome results
None listed