Workstation Ergonomics Program at Al-Baha University (ERG-ABU)

Al-Baha University

Status: Begins enrollment this month

Conditions: Musculoskeletal Disorders; Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders; Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Treatments: Behavioral: Usual Practice (Control); Behavioral: Workstation Ergonomics Program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07382466

46120176/2025

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full description

This is a controlled, non-randomized pre-post study conducted among university employees at Al-Baha University. Eligible participants will be allocated to either an ergonomics intervention group or a usual-practice control group. The intervention consists of a structured workstation ergonomics package that includes: (1) completing a validated workstation self-assessment checklist, (2) receiving individualized feedback and practical recommendations to optimize workstation arrangement and working posture, and (3) brief reminders to support adherence during the follow-up period. Assessments will be performed at baseline and at the end of follow-up (approximately four weeks). The primary objective is to determine whether the ergonomics program is associated with improvement in musculoskeletal symptoms compared with the control condition under real-world workplace settings.

Enrollment: 100 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 55 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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100 participants in 2 patient groups

Ergonomics Program (Intervention)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will receive an office-workstation ergonomics program including a self-assessment checklist-based evaluation and tailored recommendations for workstation adjustment and safe working posture, along with brief educational guidance and periodic follow-up reminders during the study period.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Workstation Ergonomics Program

Usual Practice (Control)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will continue their usual workstation practices during the study period and will not receive the ergonomics recommendations/education until after completion of follow-up assessment.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Usual Practice (Control)