Effects of Pilates and Desk-Based Exercise on Office Workers

NCT07763925 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: FU_MGBeydagi_plat_B_2026/06-39
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluated whether adding Pilates exercises to a desk-based exercise program provides greater benefits for female office workers than desk-based exercises alone or no exercise intervention. The study included 42 female office workers who were randomly assigned to three groups: a desk-based exercise group, a combined desk-based exercise and Pilates group, or a control group. The exercise interventions were performed for 6 weeks, three days per week. Pain, posture, core muscle endurance, burnout, and hedonic eating behavior were assessed before and after the intervention.

Conditions

Musculoskeletal Pain; Postural Abnormalities; Core Muscle Endurance; Burnout; Hedonic Eating Behavior

Keywords

Office Workers; Desk-Based Exercise; Pilates; Workplace Exercise; Musculoskeletal Pain; Posture; Core Endurance; Burnout; Hedonic Eating

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Total Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)

  Total musculoskeletal pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Participants rated their perceived pain intensity on a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (unbearable pain). Total pain was calculated based on pain assessments of the neck, upper back, low back, and knee regions.

  Baseline and after 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (13)

• Low Back Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)

  Baseline and after 6 weeks

• Neck Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)

  Baseline and after 6 weeks

• Upper Back Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)

  Baseline and after 6 weeks

• Knee Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)

  Baseline and after 6 weeks

• Postural Alignment (New York Posture Rating Scale)

  Baseline and after 6 weeks

Study Arms (3)

Desk-Based Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received a workplace-adapted desk-based exercise program consisting of 13 exercises designed to reduce musculoskeletal complaints, particularly in the shoulder, neck, and low back regions. Each exercise was performed for 10 repetitions. The intervention was delivered for 6 weeks, three days per week, with adherence monitored throughout the intervention period.

Behavioral: Desk-Based Exercise

Desk-Based Exercise + Pilates Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received the desk-based exercise program together with a Pilates-based exercise program. The Pilates program was performed on a mat using body weight as resistance and consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, a 40-minute main exercise section, and a 10-minute cool-down. Exercise difficulty was progressively increased every two weeks during the 6-week intervention. The program was delivered three days per week.

Behavioral: Desk-Based Exercise; Behavioral: Pilates

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants did not receive an exercise intervention during the 6-week study period and continued their usual daily activities and work routines. After completion of the assessment period, participants were offered the opportunity to undergo the exercise program.

Interventions

Desk-Based Exercise BEHAVIORAL

A workplace-adapted desk-based exercise program consisting of 13 exercises, with 10 repetitions of each exercise, designed to reduce musculoskeletal complaints in office workers, particularly in the shoulder, neck, and low back regions. The program was performed for 6 weeks, three days per week.

Desk-Based Exercise + Pilates Group; Desk-Based Exercise Group

Pilates BEHAVIORAL

A mat-based Pilates exercise program using body weight as resistance. Each 60-minute session consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, 40-minute main exercise period, and 10-minute cool-down. Exercise difficu

Desk-Based Exercise + Pilates Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 24 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Female sex.
• Age between 24 and 50 years.
• Currently employed in a desk-based office position.
• At least 1 year of occupational experience in a desk-based office role.
• Having read the study procedures and provided voluntary informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Musculoskeletal surgery within the previous 2 months.
• Cognitive or physical inability to cooperate with study procedures.
• Pregnancy.
• History of malignancy.
• Chronic systemic or neurological disease that would preclude participation in exercise.
• Unwillingness to participate voluntarily.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Muharrem Gökhan Beydağı: lead

Study Sites (1)

Firat University

Elâzığ, MErkez, 23200, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Musculoskeletal Pain; Burnout, Psychological

Interventions

Exercise Movement Techniques

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Stress, Psychological; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Physical Therapy Modalities; Therapeutics

Study Design

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

Model Details: Three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial comparing desk-based exercise, combined desk-based exercise and Pilates, and a no-exercise control group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 9, 2026
• First Posted: August 13, 2026
• Study Start: January 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 20, 2025
• Study Completion: April 20, 2025
• Last Updated: August 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)