Preventing neck and back pain in teleworking office workers

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a training program and educational session designed to prevent neck and low back pain among desktop workers. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which will receive an educational video and follow a structured exercise program over 12 weeks, or a control group that will continue their normal activities without intervention. Both groups will complete baseline assessments and ongoing monitoring through online surveys and logbooks to track physical activity and pain complaints. The study will assess outcomes at multiple time points, including 12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months post-intervention.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria

* age between 18-69 years
* perform regular desktop work (at least 20 hours/week)
* perform desktop work for at least 1 year (employee or student)

Exclusion Criteria:

* documented structural neck- and/or back pathology (confirmed by medical imaging)
* known shoulder or vestibular pathology
* whiplash-associated disorders
* history of surgery in the neck, shoulder, hip, and/or back area
* (history of) chronic pain condition
* serious headache
* serious cardiovascular/metabolic/systemic/neurological conditions
* chronic fatigue syndrome
* fibromyalgia
* psychiatric conditions or history of serious depression
* serious catastrophizing thoughts
* pregnancy or delivery in the past year

Where it's running

• Ghent University
  Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium Recruiting

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.