Association Between Office Ergonomics, Work Organization, and Musculoskeletal Complaints in Medical Secretaries

NCT07324655 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: AntalyaTRH2
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 110
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

Work-related musculoskeletal complaints are among the most common occupational health issues affecting healthcare staff, especially medical secretaries who spend long hours in sedentary positions and repetitive office tasks. This observational, cross-sectional study aims to investigate the relationship between office ergonomics, work organization, and musculoskeletal system complaints among medical secretaries. Participants will complete a structured questionnaire that includes demographic and occupational data, ergonomic and work organization characteristics (such as desk and chair setup, posture, computer use, and daily working hours), and self-reported measures of pain and well-being. Postural alignment will be evaluated using the New York Posture Rating Scale (NYPRS), while pain intensity will be assessed with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). In addition, participants' physical activity level, disability score and stress level will be recorded to examine their potential influence on musculoskeletal symptoms. The study aims to determine whether poor ergonomic conditions, inadequate posture, low physical activity, and high stress are associated with increased musculoskeletal discomfort, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and lower back regions. This study is observational and does not include any intervention or experimental treatment. All participation will be voluntary, and data will be collected anonymously. The findings are expected to contribute to preventive strategies and ergonomic improvements to enhance occupational health and comfort among medical secretaries working in healthcare institutions.

Conditions

Musculoskeletal Diseases; Ergonomics; Occupational Diseases; Workplace; Pain

Keywords

Medical secretaries; Occupational health; Ergonomics; Musculoskeletal Disease; Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Prevalence and Severity of Musculoskeletal Complaints

  The presence and severity of musculoskeletal complaints among medical secretaries are assessed using a self-reported musculoskeletal questionnaire covering the neck, shoulders, upper back, lower back, and upper extremities, in relation to office ergonomics and work organization factors.

  Single assessment (1 day)

Study Arms (1)

Medical Secretaries

Medical secretaries working in hospital settings who are evaluated for office ergonomics, work organization characteristics, and the presence of musculoskeletal complaints using self-reported questionnaires in a single assessment.

Other: No intervention (observational study)

Interventions

No intervention (observational study) OTHER

This is an observational study. No intervention is applied. Participants are assessed once using questionnaires to evaluate office ergonomics, work organization, and musculoskeletal complaints.

Medical Secretaries

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of medical secretaries working in hospital settings who report work-related musculoskeletal pain. Participants are evaluated in a single assessment to examine the association between office ergonomics, work organization characteristics, and musculoskeletal complaints.

You may qualify if:

• Medical secretaries currently working in a hospital setting
• Aged 18 years or older
• Employed in a desk-based/office position involving computer use
• Working in the current position for at least 6 months
• Presence of self-reported work-related musculoskeletal pain/complaints in at least one body region (e.g., neck, shoulder, upper back, low back, upper extremity) within the last 3 months, assessed by questionnaire
• Willing and able to provide informed consent
• Able to complete self-reported questionnaires

You may not qualify if:

• Known spinal deformity or specific spinal disorder (e.g., symptomatic disc herniation/radiculopathy, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis) that could significantly affect musculoskeletal symptoms
• Neurological deficit or neurological disease affecting the musculoskeletal system (e.g., muscle weakness, sensory loss, peripheral neuropathy)
• Diagnosed inflammatory rheumatic disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout, psoriatic arthritis)
• Major trauma to the neck/upper extremity/spine or orthopedic surgery within the past 6 months
• History of spine surgery (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar)
• Receipt of intensive physical therapy/rehabilitation program or invasive pain procedure (e.g., injection, nerve block) targeting the spine or upper extremity within the past 6 months
• Pregnancy
• Severe cognitive impairment or severe psychiatric disorder that would prevent completion of questionnaires or reliable participation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Antalya Training and Research Hospital: lead

Study Sites (2)

Ceylanpınar State Hospital

Sanliurfa, Ceylanpınar, 63570, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Antalya Training and Research Hospital

Antalya, Muratpaşa, 07100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Durmaz E, Nazlıcan E, Akbaba M.Bir Üniversite Hastanesinde Çalışan Sekreterlerin Üst Ekstremite Kas İskelet Sistemi Yakınmalarının İncelenmesi.Sakarya Tıp Dergisi, 2018, 8(2):432-441

  BACKGROUND

• Barut Ö, Koçak FA, Kurt EE, Şaş S, Tuncay F, Erdem HR. Sırt veya Bel Ağrısı Olan ve Olmayan Tıbbi Sekreterlerin Omurga Sagittal Eğrilikleri, Fonksiyonel Durum ve Yaşam Kalitesi Düzeylerinin Karşılaştırılması. Harran Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi. 2020;17(1):91-7.

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Musculoskeletal Diseases; Occupational Diseases; Pain

Interventions

Observation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Methods; Investigative Techniques

Study Officials

• Gülşah Çelik

  Ceylanpınar State Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Target Duration: 1 Day
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 24, 2025
• First Posted: January 7, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: April 19, 2026
• Study Completion: April 19, 2026
• Last Updated: April 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (2)