Exercise-Assisted Ergonomic Training for Pain, Sleep, and Anxiety in Nursing Students: RCT

NCT07150741 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: KutahyaHSU-NECİBE-DAĞCAN-0007
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of exercise-assisted ergonomic training on pain, sleep quality, and anxiety levels among nursing students. The study population consists of students enrolled in the Nursing Department of Kütahya Health Sciences University. Sixty participants will be recruited according to inclusion criteria and randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. The intervention group will receive a structured ergonomic training program combined with exercise sessions, including theoretical lectures and practical exercise videos delivered twice a week for four weeks. The control group will continue with their standard nursing curriculum without additional ergonomic or exercise support. Data will be collected using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and State Anxiety Inventory before and after the intervention. The study is expected to provide evidence on the effectiveness of ergonomic and exercise-based strategies in reducing pain, improving sleep quality, and lowering anxiety among nursing students, supporting the integration of such programs into nursing education.

Conditions

Pain; Sleep; Anxiety State

Keywords

Pain, Sleep Quality, Anxiety

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain Level

  Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) before and after the 4-week exercise-assisted ergonomic training program.

  Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention completion

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Sleep Quality

  Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention completion

• Anxiety Level

  Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention completion

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive exercise-assisted ergonomic training over 4 weeks. The program includes two theoretical training sessions covering ergonomics, posture analysis, body mechanics, ergonomic risks in nursing, and recommended exercises. In addition, participants will complete eight practical exercise sessions via videos (2 per week, 30-40 minutes each) including warm-up, stretching, strengthening, balance, and posture exercises. The intervention is supervised by an exercise expert to ensure proper technique and safety.

Behavioral: Exercise-Assisted Ergonomic Training

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants will continue with their standard nursing curriculum and will not receive additional ergonomic or exercise training during the study period.

Interventions

Exercise-Assisted Ergonomic Training BEHAVIORAL

The program includes structured ergonomic and exercise activities designed to improve posture, reduce musculoskeletal pain, enhance sleep quality, and decrease anxiety levels among nursing students. Theoretical lectures cover ergonomics principles, postural assessment, body mechanics, and ergonomic risks in nursing. Practical sessions are delivered via video twice a week for 4 weeks, each lasting 30-40 minutes, including warm-up, stretching, strengthening, balance, and posture exercises. The intervention is supervised by an exercise specialist to ensure safety and proper technique.

Also known as: Ergonomic Training + Exercise Program

Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Being a student in the Nursing Department of Kütahya Health Sciences University.
• Willingness to participate in the study voluntarily.
• No chronic diseases preventing exercise (e.g., COPD, heart failure).
• No hearing impairments.
• No psychiatric diagnosis (e.g., major depression, anxiety disorders) and not using related medications.
• Ability to use a smartphone (iOS or Android) and have internet access.
• No neurological, systemic, or psychiatric disorders.

You may not qualify if:

• Students unwilling to participate in the study.
• Developing any health problem during the intervention period.
• Unable to continue participation for any reason.
• Voluntarily withdrawing from the study.
• Pain level above 5 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale at baseline; such participants will be referred to a physiotherapist.
• Any adverse events during exercise sessions (e.g., sudden pain, dizziness, fatigue, blood pressure changes) will result in immediate cessation of the exercise, monitoring of the participant, and referral to the nearest healthcare facility if necessary. Emergency first aid will be provided if needed, and the responsible researcher will contact the relevant health services immediately.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kutahya Health Sciences University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Necibe

Kütahya, 43000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain; Anxiety Disorders; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases

Study Officials

• Necibe DAĞCAN ŞAHİN, PhD

  Kütahya Health Sciences University, Faculty of Health Sciences

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Yiğit ŞAHİN, MSc

  Kütahya Dumlupınar University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Mustafa Said ERZEYBEK, Assoc. Prof.

  Kütahya Dumlupınar University, Faculty of Sport Sciences

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Necibe DAĞCAN ŞAHİN, PhD

CONTACT

0553 701 19 35; necibe.dagcan@ksbu.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Participants and care providers are aware of group assignments. Data collection and outcome assessment will be conducted by a second researcher who is blinded to group allocation. The third researcher performing statistical analyses will also be blinded to group identity to minimize bias in outcome evaluation.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor of Nursing

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned into two parallel groups. The intervention group will receive exercise-assisted ergonomic training, including theoretical lectures and practical exercise sessions, while the control group will continue with the standard nursing curriculum without additional ergonomic or exercise support. Each participant will remain in their assigned group throughout the study, and outcomes will be compared between the two groups.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 25, 2025
• First Posted: September 2, 2025
• Study Start: September 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 15, 2025
• Study Completion: December 30, 2025
• Last Updated: September 2, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)