Effects of a Wearable Postural Feedback Device on Scapular Muscle Endurance, Trunk Proprioception and Postural Awareness in Sedentary Office Workers

NCT07757932 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025-301
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the effects of a wearable postural feedback device on scapular muscle endurance, trunk proprioception, thoracic kyphosis angle, and postural awareness in sedentary office workers. A total of 70 sedentary office workers aged 25-45 years will be randomly allocated to either the wearable postural feedback device group or the control group using block randomization. Participants in the intervention group will use the wearable postural feedback device for 12 weeks (5 days per week, 60 minutes per day), while the control group will maintain their usual working routine without receiving any intervention. Outcome assessments will be performed at baseline, immediately after the 12-week intervention, and at the end of a 4-week follow-up period (Week 16). The primary outcome measures are scapular muscle endurance, trunk proprioception, thoracic kyphosis angle, and postural awareness. The primary research question is whether the use of a wearable postural feedback device improves these outcomes in sedentary office workers compared with no intervention. It is hypothesized that participants using the wearable postural feedback device will demonstrate greater improvements in scapular muscle endurance, trunk proprioception, thoracic kyphosis angle, and postural awareness than those in the control group.

Conditions

Postural Disorders; Sedentary Behavior

Keywords

Wearable Postural Feedback Device; Office Workers; Scapular Muscle Endurance; Trunk Proprioception; Thoracic Kyphosis; Postural Awareness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Scapular Muscle Endurance

  Scapular muscle endurance will be assessed using the Scapular Muscle Endurance (SME) Test. Participants will stand with both shoulders and elbows positioned at 90° of flexion while maintaining the scapulae in a neutral position. A handheld dynamometer will be used to apply a constant force of 1 kg (10 N). Participants will maintain the test position as long as possible. The test will be terminated if the force cannot be maintained, the upper extremity position changes, the supporting bar falls, or the participant reports pain. Performance will be recorded in seconds, with longer durations indicating greater scapular muscle endurance.

  Baseline, immediately after the 12-week intervention (Week 12), and at the end of the 4-week follow-up period (Week 16).

• Trunk Proprioception

  Trunk proprioception will be assessed using the Active Trunk Reposition Sense Test with the GYKO inertial sensor. The sensor will be positioned at the thoracolumbar region according to the standardized protocol. Participants, with their eyes closed, will actively reproduce a previously demonstrated trunk position. The absolute repositioning error will be recorded in degrees (°). Lower values indicate better trunk proprioception.

  Baseline, immediately after the 12-week intervention (Week 12), and at the end of the 4-week follow-up period (Week 16).

• Thoracic Kyphosis Angle

  Thoracic kyphosis angle will be assessed using the Commander® Echo Wireless Inclinometer (JTECH Medical, USA). Measurements will be performed according to a standardized thoracic spine assessment protocol. Thoracic kyphosis angle will be recorded in degrees (°). Lower values indicate a reduction in thoracic kyphosis and improved thoracic spinal alignment.

  Baseline, immediately after the 12-week intervention (Week 12), and at the end of the 4-week follow-up period (Week 16).

• Postural Awareness

  Postural awareness will be assessed using the Postural Awareness Scale (PAS). The PAS is an 11-item self-reported questionnaire with a total score ranging from 11 to 77. Higher scores indicate greater postural awareness

  Baseline, immediately after the 12-week intervention (Week 12), and at the end of the 4-week follow-up period (Week 16).

Study Arms (2)

Wearable Postural Feedback Device Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Device: Wearable Postural Feedback Device Participants will use a wearable postural feedback device for 12 weeks, 5 days per week, 60 minutes per day during working hours. During the first week, device use will be gradually increased (20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 minutes/day) to improve adherence, followed by 60 minutes/day for the remaining 11 weeks. The device provides real-time vibrotactile feedback when participants deviate from their calibrated neutral posture. Outcome measures, including scapular muscle endurance, trunk proprioception, thoracic kyphosis angle, and postural awareness, will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the 12-week intervention, and at the end of the 4-week follow-up period (Week 16).

Device: Wearable Postural Feedback Device

No Intervention: Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants assigned to the control group will continue their usual work routine without receiving the wearable postural feedback device or any additional intervention. Outcome measures, including scapular muscle endurance, trunk proprioception, thoracic kyphosis angle, and postural awareness, will be assessed at the same time points as the intervention group (baseline, Week 12, and Week 16).

Interventions

Wearable Postural Feedback Device DEVICE

Participants assigned to the intervention group will use a wearable postural feedback device for 12 weeks, 5 days per week, 60 minutes per day during working hours. During the first week, device use will be gradually increased (20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 minutes/day) to facilitate adaptation, followed by 60 minutes/day for the remaining 11 weeks. The device is individually calibrated to each participant's neutral posture and provides real-time vibrotactile feedback whenever a deviation from the calibrated posture is detected, promoting immediate postural correction during daily work activities.

Wearable Postural Feedback Device Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Aged between 25 and 45 years. Sedentary lifestyle (\<600 MET-min/week) determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF).
• Working in a desk-based occupation for at least 6 hours per day. Willing to use the wearable postural feedback device (intervention group). Able to provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• History of scapular or spinal surgery or trauma. Presence of neurological or vestibular disorders. Spinal deformity. Dermatological conditions preventing the use of a wearable device. Chronic systemic diseases affecting posture or musculoskeletal function. Inability or unwillingness to provide written informed consent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences Ankara

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sedentary Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator, PT PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 6, 2026
• First Posted: August 11, 2026
• Study Start: February 20, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 20, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 5, 2026
• Last Updated: August 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)