Analyzing Postural Parameters in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Students

NCT06851780 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: SBA 23/427
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 74
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In our study, with the voluntary participation of Term 3 and Term 4 students from the Hacettepe University Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, we examined the effect of physical workload on postural parameters based on students' standing and sitting times. Additionally, through surveys, we assessed the students' physical activity levels, quality of life, sleep, and burnout levels. The aim was to investigate the relationship between these components and postural alignment by measuring their levels. By identifying the factors that may affect students' postural alignment, the study aims to determine potential risks and provide valuable information for physiotherapists, physiotherapy students, and educators.

Conditions

Health Risk Behaviors; Health-Related Behavior

Keywords

posture; work load; sleep quality; quality of life

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Postural assessment

  Participants' postures will be evaluated using the Diers Formetric-4D system (DIERS International GmbH; Schlangenbad, Germany) operating with the Dicam 3v3.11 software. In this method, white light raster lines are projected onto the individual's back, and the deformation of these lines due to the 3D shape of the back is captured by a camera. The software detects convex and concave regions, allowing for the immediate identification of anatomical landmarks and fixed points. Using a mathematical algorithm, the system reconstructs a 3D model of the spine.During the measurement, participants will be positioned in a relaxed, motionless stance, standing on both feet, with their arms hanging freely, facing forward, and their backs turned toward the camera. Their heels will be placed on a marked area on the platform to ensure standard positioning.

  Up to four weeks

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Musculoskeletal assessment

  Baseline

• Physical activity assessment

  Baseline

• Anxiety level assessment

  Baseline

• Sleep quality and disorder assessment

  Baseline

• Burnout level assessment

  Baseline

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Volunteer individuals from Term 4 (senior year) intern physiotherapist students and Term 3 students studying at Hacettepe University Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation will be included in the study.

You may qualify if:

• Individuals who volunteer to participate in the study,
• Individuals who did not have pain according to the NORDIC Extended Musculoskeletal System questionnaire at the time of the evaluations,

You may not qualify if:

• Being diagnosed with scoliosis by a physician,
• Having spinal cord or extremity pain diagnosed by a physician in the last 3 months,
• Being diagnosed with any developmental disorder (Scheuermann's/Calve Disorder etc.),
• Having limb inequality, spine and pelvis etc. having serious deformities,
• Getting diagnosed with Infection (Spinal Tuberculosis etc.), Tumor (Multiple Myeloma),
• Having had spine surgery,
• Having a systemic inflammatory disease,
• Being diagnosed with a neurological and/or cognitive disease that may affect cognitive functions,
• Epilepsy, Antidepressant / Attention enhancing drug use,
• Being diagnosed with Cardiorespiratory Disease,
• Having menstrual irregularity,

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hacettepe University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hacettepe University

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (5)

• Degenhardt BF, Starks Z, Bhatia S. Reliability of the DIERS Formetric 4D Spine Shape Parameters in Adults without Postural Deformities. Biomed Res Int. 2020 Feb 13;2020:1796247. doi: 10.1155/2020/1796247. eCollection 2020.

  PMID: 32104678 BACKGROUND

• Sorensen CJ, Norton BJ, Callaghan JP, Hwang CT, Van Dillen LR. Is lumbar lordosis related to low back pain development during prolonged standing? Man Ther. 2015 Aug;20(4):553-7. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2015.01.001. Epub 2015 Jan 14.

  PMID: 25637464 BACKGROUND

• Poitras S, Blais R, Swaine B, Rossignol M. Management of work-related low back pain: a population-based survey of physical therapists. Phys Ther. 2005 Nov;85(11):1168-81.

  PMID: 16253046 BACKGROUND

• Korakakis V, O'Sullivan K, O'Sullivan PB, Evagelinou V, Sotiralis Y, Sideris A, Sakellariou K, Karanasios S, Giakas G. Physiotherapist perceptions of optimal sitting and standing posture. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2019 Feb;39:24-31. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2018.11.004. Epub 2018 Nov 17.

  PMID: 30469124 BACKGROUND

• Andersen JH, Haahr JP, Frost P. Risk factors for more severe regional musculoskeletal symptoms: a two-year prospective study of a general working population. Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Apr;56(4):1355-64. doi: 10.1002/art.22513.

  PMID: 17393441 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Health Risk Behaviors; Health Behavior; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Yeliz Gülce TANIMLI

  Hacettepe University

  STUDY CHAIR

• Büşra ERGİT

  Hacettepe University

  STUDY CHAIR

• Zafer ERDEN, Prof

  Hacettepe University

  STUDY CHAIR

• Esra ATEŞ NUMANOĞLU, PhD

  Hacettepe University

  STUDY CHAIR

• Asude ARIK, PhD

  Hacettepe University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant- PT, PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 28, 2024
• First Posted: February 28, 2025
• Study Start: October 2, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 27, 2025
• Study Completion: January 6, 2026
• Last Updated: January 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)