The Effect of Ergonomics and Exercise Training on Musculoskeletal Disorders in Female Dairy Farmers

NCT07442409 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Uskudar94
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this research is to comparatively examine the effects of ergonomics training and the combined application of ergonomics and structured exercise training on work-related musculoskeletal disorders in female farmers actively engaged in milking.

Conditions

Work-related Injury; Work-related Illness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Work-Related Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity Assessed With the Visual Analogue Scale

  Pain intensity is assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates unbearable pain. Participants rate their overall work-related musculoskeletal pain considering the neck, shoulders, and lower back. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 12)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Upper-Limb Functional Disability Assessed With the QuickDASH

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 12)

• Change in Depressive Symptoms Assessed With the Beck Depression Inventory

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 12)

• Change in Quality of Life Assessed With the WHOQOL-BREF

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 12)

• Musculoskeletal Symptom Prevalence Assessed With the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire

  Baseline (12-month recall) and week 12 (7-day recall)

Study Arms (2)

Ergonomics Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants receive three individual face-to-face ergonomics training sessions of approximately 60 minutes each at baseline and at the end of weeks 4 and 8. Training addresses appropriate body mechanics, working posture during milking, stool and equipment positioning, load handling, work-rest organization, wrist positioning and musculoskeletal protection. Participants also receive an illustrated brochure and telephone contact every two weeks.

Other: Other: Standardized Ergonomics Training

Ergonomics Training Plus Structured Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive the same ergonomics training as the control group plus a 12-week home-based, equipment-free structured exercise programme performed three non-consecutive days per week. Each session lasts approximately 45-50 minutes and includes warm-up, stretching, postural and scapular control exercises, and progressive calisthenic strengthening exercises.

Other: Other: Standardized Ergonomics Training; Other: Other: Standardized Ergonomics Training Plus Structured Exercise Programme

Interventions

Other: Standardized Ergonomics Training OTHER

The control group will be given standard ergonomics training which includes proper body mechanics, correct working posture and musculoskeletal protection principles during milking.

Ergonomics Training; Ergonomics Training Plus Structured Exercise

Other: Standardized Ergonomics Training Plus Structured Exercise Programme OTHER

The exercise group will receive the same ergonomics training as well as a structured exercise program consisting of stretching, strengthening and posture exercises. The exercise program will be planned to last three days a week for a total of 12 weeks.

Ergonomics Training Plus Structured Exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Female sex
• Age 25-60 years
• Actively engaged in dairy milking for at least 5 years
• Sufficient physical capacity to participate in the education and exercise programme
• Provision of written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Any diagnosed concomitant musculoskeletal or rheumatological disease affecting any body region, including diagnosed wrist/hand conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinopathy
• Any concomitant neurological disease or neurological dysfunction
• History of surgery involving the musculoskeletal system
• Any serious systemic disease that would preclude participation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Uskudar University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Tatvan

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Das B. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in agriculture: Ergonomics risk assessment and its prevention among Indian farmers. Work. 2023;76(1):225-241. doi: 10.3233/WOR-220246.

  PMID: 36806533 BACKGROUND

• Kaewdok T, Sirisawasd S, Taptagaporn S. Agricultural Risk Factors Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Older Farmers in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. J Agromedicine. 2021 Apr;26(2):185-192. doi: 10.1080/1059924X.2020.1795029. Epub 2020 Jul 31.

  PMID: 32735182 BACKGROUND

• Akbar KA, Try P, Viwattanakulvanid P, Kallawicha K. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Farmers in the Southeast Asia Region: A Systematic Review. Saf Health Work. 2023 Sep;14(3):243-249. doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2023.05.001. Epub 2023 May 13.

  PMID: 37818214 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Muharrem AKAR

  Uskudar University

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assoc.Prof.Dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 25, 2026
• First Posted: March 2, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 10, 2026
• Study Completion: July 20, 2026
• Last Updated: September 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)