Physical Fatigue, Compassion Fatigue, and Quiet Quitting in Physiotherapists

NCT07340866 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: GOP-FTR-01-2025
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Physiotherapists are exposed to both physical and emotional demands due to the nature of their profession. Repetitive physical workload, prolonged standing, patient handling, and continuous interaction with patients may contribute to physical fatigue and compassion fatigue. These factors may negatively affect work engagement and lead to a phenomenon known as quiet quitting, which refers to reduced psychological involvement in work without formally leaving the job. The aim of this study is to examine levels of physical fatigue and compassion fatigue among physiotherapists working in Türkiye and to investigate their association with quiet quitting tendencies. This observational, cross-sectional study will include physiotherapists actively working in public or private healthcare settings. Data will be collected using validated self-report questionnaires administered online and face-to-face. Understanding the relationship between occupational fatigue and quiet quitting may help inform strategies to improve well-being, job satisfaction, and sustainability in the physiotherapy workforce.

Conditions

Quiet Quitting; Fatigue, Compassion; Work Engagement

Keywords

fatigue; compassion fatigue; work engagement; occupational health; quiet quitting

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Quiet Quitting Tendency

  Quiet quitting tendency will be assessed using the Quiet Quitting Attitude Scale, a validated self-report questionnaire measuring reduced psychological engagement with work. Higher scores indicate a greater tendency toward quiet quitting.

  At enrollment (single assessment)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Physical Fatigue Level

  At enrollment (single assessment)

• Compassion Fatigue Level

  At enrollment (single assessment)

• Work-Related Musculoskeletal Discomfort

  Past 7 days

Study Arms (1)

Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists actively working in public or private healthcare institutions in Türkiye who voluntarily participate in the study.

Other: No Intervention (Observational Study)

Interventions

No Intervention (Observational Study) OTHER

This is an observational study. No intervention is administered. Data are collected using self-report questionnaires.

Physiotherapists

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of physiotherapists actively working in public or private healthcare institutions in Türkiye.

You may qualify if:

• Graduated from a Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation undergraduate program
• Actively working as a physiotherapist in Türkiye
• Voluntary participation and provision of informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Refusal to participate in the study
• Working in a profession other than physiotherapy
• Incomplete or incorrectly completed questionnaires

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, Faculty of Health Sciences

Tokat Province, Central, 60250, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (7)

• Devi T., P., Khanwelkar, C., Patil, A., Patil, S. S., Pawar, R., Suruve, D., & Mohana Sundari, S. K. (2019). Compassion Fatigue among Indian Physiotherapists: A descriptive cross sectional comparative study. Global Bioethics Enquiry Journal, 7(1), 17

  BACKGROUND

• Pena-Curbelo V, Meneses-Monroy A, Mayor-Silva LI, Martin-Casas P, Alvarez-Melcon AC. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Physical Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Clin Med. 2024 Dec 5;13(23):7425. doi: 10.3390/jcm13237425.

  PMID: 39685884 BACKGROUND

• Bruschini M, Carli A, Burla F. Burnout and work-related stress in Italian rehabilitation professionals: A comparison of physiotherapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists. Work. 2018;59(1):121-129. doi: 10.3233/WOR-172657.

  PMID: 29439375 BACKGROUND

• Tohumcu, K., & Tanrıverdi, D. (2023). The Predictive Effect of Anxiety and Burnout Levels Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Organizational Commitment on their Intention to Leave the Organization of the Healthcare Professionals. European Journal of Therapeutics, 29(2), 208-220

  BACKGROUND

• Yıldız S, Özmenekşe YO. KAÇINILMAZ SON: SESSİZ İSTİFA. Al Farabi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2024;7(4):14-24.

  BACKGROUND

• Hedge A, Morimoto S, McCrobie D. Effects of keyboard tray geometry on upper body posture and comfort. Ergonomics. 1999 Oct;42(10):1333-49. doi: 10.1080/001401399184983.

  PMID: 10582503 BACKGROUND

• Adams RE, Boscarino JA, Figley CR. Compassion fatigue and psychological distress among social workers: a validation study. Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2006 Jan;76(1):103-8. doi: 10.1037/0002-9432.76.1.103.

  PMID: 16569133 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Compassion Fatigue; Fatigue

Interventions

Observation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Fatigue; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Occupational Stress; Stress, Psychological

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Methods; Investigative Techniques

Central Study Contacts

Mahmut Sürmeli, PhD

CONTACT

90 506 332 42 59; mahmut.surmeli@gop.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 5, 2026
• First Posted: January 14, 2026
• Study Start: February 22, 2026
• Primary Completion: April 23, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 12, 2026
• Last Updated: January 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)