Tele-Based Postural Awareness and Breathing Training for Ergonomic Risk and Fatigue in Flute Students

NCT07326527 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 22.12.2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled study investigates the effects of an eight-week tele-based postural awareness and pranayama-based breathing program on work-related ergonomic risk and cervical somatosensory function in flute students. A total of 30 undergraduate flute students were randomly allocated to either an intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group received a structured tele-rehabilitation program focusing on postural awareness exercises and pranayama-based breathing practices for eight weeks, while the control group did not receive any intervention during the study period. Primary outcomes include work-related ergonomic risk assessed using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and cervical somatosensory function evaluated through cervical joint position sense (horizontal, vertical, and global error). Secondary outcomes include deep cervical flexor muscle endurance, perceived fatigue, postural awareness, and musical performance anxiety. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after the eight-week intervention period. The study aims to determine whether a tele-based postural awareness and breathing intervention can effectively reduce ergonomic risk and improve sensorimotor function in flute students who are exposed to prolonged asymmetric postures during instrument practice.

Conditions

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Risk, Postural Control; Postural Awareness

Keywords

Tele-rehabilitation, Postural Awareness, Ergonomic Risk, Cervical Proprioception, Musicians

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Total RULA Score and RULA B Score

  Postural ergonomic risk is assessed during flute performance using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), which evaluates neck, trunk, and upper limb posture. The total RULA score ranges from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating greater ergonomic risk.

  Baseline and 8 weeks

• Cervical Somatosensory Function (Joint Position Sense - JPS)

  Cervical joint position sense is assessed using a laser-pointer repositioning method during flexion, extension, and rotation movements. Horizontal, vertical, and global angular errors are calculated. Higher error values indicate reduced proprioceptive accuracy.

  Baseline and 8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Postural Habits and Awareness Scale (PAFÖ) total score

  Baseline and 8 weeks

• Deep Cervical Flexor Muscle Endurance

  Baseline and 8 weeks

• Modified Borg Scale score

  Baseline and 8 weeks

• Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (K-MPAI) total score

  Baseline and 8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

No Intervention / Usual Activity

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants do not receive any intervention and continue their usual daily activities and regular flute practice during the 8-week study period.

Other: No Intervention

Tele-Based Postural Awareness and Pranayama-Based Breathing Program

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Participants receive an 8-week tele-based program including postural awareness exercises and pranayama-based breathing practices delivered remotely.

Behavioral: Tele-Based Postural Awareness and Pranayama-Based Breathing Program

Interventions

Tele-Based Postural Awareness and Pranayama-Based Breathing Program BEHAVIORAL

An 8-week tele-rehabilitation program delivered remotely, focusing on postural awareness exercises and pranayama-based breathing practices.

Tele-Based Postural Awareness and Pranayama-Based Breathing Program

No Intervention OTHER

Participants do not receive any intervention and continue their usual daily activities and regular

No Intervention / Usual Activity

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 28 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Aged between 18 and 28 years
• Enrolled as a student in the Department of Music at the Faculty of Fine Arts or Faculty of Education
• Has been playing the flute for at least 3 years
• Willing to participate in the study and able to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• History of upper extremity surgery
• Presence of any diagnosed neurological disorder
• History of cardiovascular disease
• Presence of an acute musculoskeletal injury that could affect performance

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University

Alanya, Antalya, 07425, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial) Allocation: Randomized Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment Masking: None (Open Label) Primary Purpose: Prevention Number of Arms: 2

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 24, 2025
• First Posted: January 8, 2026
• Study Start: November 5, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 15, 2025
• Study Completion: May 30, 2025
• Last Updated: February 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)