Clinical trial NCT06216431: Respiratory and Physical Outcomes in Different Types of Office Workers
Official title: Investigation of Respiratory System, Musculoskeletal System, Physical Activity Level and Quality of Life in Different Types of Office Workers.
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Conditions: Work-related Illness
Keywords: office workers
call center operators
musculoskeletal discomfort
dyspnea
posture
thoracic mobility
Lead sponsor: Izmir Democracy University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-01-22
Enrollment: 52
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Observational model: CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL
Sampling method: NON_PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: At least 27 individuals will be included in the emergency call center workers group and at least 25 individuals will be included in the office workers group.

Brief summary: There are no studies in the literature reporting the posture, chest mobility, dyspnea, flexibility, quality of life and physical activity levels of emergency call center employees. The aims of this observational study are; 1) to evaluate posture, chest mobility, strength, dyspnea, flexibility, musculoskeletal disorders, physical activity and quality of life in emergency call center workers and office workers, 2) to reveal the relationships between these parameters of both research groups and 3) The aim is to compare these measurement parameters in emergency call center workers and office workers.

Detailed description: Over time, there has been an increase in the number of office workers and the use of computers. Working in a static position for long working hours and improper working postures can lead to loss of flexibility in the muscles, decrease in thoracic mobility, pain in the musculoskeletal system and deterioration of ideal posture. Emergency call center employees work long hours, in shifts that require serious attention, where stress is intense and the circadian rhythm is disrupted. There is no study in the literature that evaluates the posture, chest mobility, dyspnea, flexibility and physical activity levels of emergency call center employees. Therefore, the aim of our study is; It is a comparative evaluation of posture, chest mobility, cough strength, dyspnea flexibility, musculoskeletal disorders, physical activity level and quality of life in emergency call center operators and desk workers.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria for Emergency Call Center Workers

* Being an operator at Izmir 112 Emergency Call Center
* Being 18 years or older
* Volunteering to participate in the study
* Being able to understand and answer surveys

Inclusion Criteria for Office Workers

* Being actively working at a desk
* Being 18 years or older
* Volunteering to participate in the study
* Being able to understand and answer surveys

Exclusion Criteria:

* Have any history of acute/chronic infection, physical or mental disability/disease and/or cognitive impairment that would prevent measurement.
* Being pregnant
* Being able to exercise regularly

Primary outcomes:
measure: Handgrip strength
timeFrame: up to 5 minutes
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Thoracic mobility
timeFrame: up to 5 minutes
measure: Cough strength
timeFrame: up to 2-3 minutes
measure: Dyspnea
timeFrame: up to 1 minute
measure: Posture
timeFrame: up to 5 minutes
measure: Musculoskeletal pain
timeFrame: up to 5 minutes
measure: Flexibility
timeFrame: up to 5 minutes
measure: Pinch strength
timeFrame: up to 5 minutes
measure: Physical activity level
timeFrame: up to 2 minutes
measure: Health-related quality of life
timeFrame: up to 5 minutes
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: İzmir
country: Turkey
facility: Izmir Democracy University
Study officials:
affiliation: Izmir Democracy University
name: GÜLŞAH BARĞI, Assoc.Dr.
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
affiliation: Izmir Emergency Call Center
name: BERFİN KİŞİN, MSc
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Izmir Democracy University
name: ÖZLEM ÇİNAR ÖZDEMİR, Assoc.Dr.
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Clemes SA, O'Connell SE, Edwardson CL. Office workers' objectively measured sedentary behavior and physical activity during and outside working hours. J Occup Environ Med. 2014 Mar;56(3):298-303. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000101.
citation: Heneghan NR, Baker G, Thomas K, Falla D, Rushton A. What is the effect of prolonged sitting and physical activity on thoracic spine mobility? An observational study of young adults in a UK university setting. BMJ Open. 2018 May 5;8(5):e019371. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019371.
citation: Janwantanakul P, Pensri P, Jiamjarasrangsri V, Sinsongsook T. Prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among office workers. Occup Med (Lond). 2008 Sep;58(6):436-8. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqn072. Epub 2008 Jun 10.
citation: Rostamzadeh S, Saremi M, Fereshteh T. Maximum handgrip strength as a function of type of work and hand-forearm dimensions. Work. 2020;65(3):679-687. doi: 10.3233/WOR-203100.