The Impact of Intraoperative Stretching Microbreaks on Otolaryngologists

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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There have been numerous survey-based and observational studies reporting a high percentage of otolaryngologists suffering from work-related musculoskeletal symptoms, in which more than half attributed to poor ergonomics in the operating room. Interventions have been implemented in the past to alleviate ergonomic hazards in general surgery such as intra-operative stretch breaks. However, there has not yet been an intervention done to alleviate ergonomic hazards in otolaryngologists. Our study aims to explore the efficacy of implementing intraoperative stretch breaks and assess their effect on otolaryngologists' practices and musculoskeletal pain.

Detailed Description
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The study subjects will be recruited voluntarily from George Washington University Hospital otolaryngology attending physicians, residents, and fellows, as well as Children's otolaryngology faculties. Pre-survey will be sent prior to the intervention to obtain background information and baseline ergonomic assessment conducted by physical therapy students. Interventions will include intra-operative stretch breaks that will be implemented by surgeons at their convenient time during the surgery. Post-survey will be sent out to obtain the subjects' experiences after each intervention. Each survey will be sent via email using a secured third-party vendor, RedCap. Results will be retrieved only by the research assistants listed on the institutional review board (IRB). The survey will not ask for any identifying information and will not publish identifying information. The raw data will be analyzed by the PI and research assistant for publication. The study should take less than a year for data collection and analysis.

Official Title
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The Impact of Intraoperative Stretching Microbreaks on Otolaryngologists

Conditions
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Postural; Strain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Otolaryngology stretching micro-breaks (OSMB)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Otolaryngologists Currently practicing Exclusion Criteria: Non-otolarynglogists Currently not practicing

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 100 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention group<br>Cross over study so each participant will have 3 control days without intervention and 3 intervention days with stretching exercise. | Behavioral: Otolaryngology stretching micro-breaks (OSMB)<br>* Standardized microbreak stretch that is designed to perform intraoperatively within the sterile field at medically convenient 20-40 min intervals throughout each procedure.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control group<br>Cross over study so each participant will have 3 control days without intervention and 3 intervention days with stretching exercise. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Body part discomfort | Body Part Discomfort is a validated survey with 0-5 score on the neck, shoulder R/L, hand R/L, lower/upper back, knee R/L, foot R/L. 0 with no pain to 5 with high pain. | Given before each surgery during control days as a baseline | 
| Body part discomfort | Body Part Discomfort is a validated survey with 0-5 score on the neck, shoulder R/L, hand R/L, lower/upper back, knee R/L, foot R/L. 0 with no pain to 5 with high pain. | Given before each surgery during intervention days | 
| Body part discomfort | Body Part Discomfort is a validated survey with 0-5 score on the neck, shoulder R/L, hand R/L, lower/upper back, knee R/L, foot R/L. 0 with no pain to 5 with high pain. | Given after each surgery during control days as a baseline | 
| Body part discomfort | Body Part Discomfort is a validated survey with 0-5 score on the neck, shoulder R/L, hand R/L, lower/upper back, knee R/L, foot R/L. 0 with no pain to 5 with high pain. | Given after each surgery during intervention days |