Examining the Effectiveness of Ergonomics and Exercise Training in Caregivers

Sponsor
Uskudar University
Study ID
NCT07776470
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

Notify me when recruiting opens

Save your spot on the interest list for this study. We'll keep your details with this study so our team can follow up when recruiting opens.

Not yet recruiting

Add your contact details and location so we can keep your interest tied to this study.

Conditions

  • Caregiver Burden
  • Caregiver Burnout
  • Musculoskeletal Pain

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
30 Years - 60 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Ergonomic training — OTHER
    • Description: Structured theoretical and hands-on ergonomic training delivered once a month over the 12-week intervention period (3 sessions in total), face-to-face and/or through synchronous or asynchronous video modules, by a physiotherapist. Content covers biomechanical body mechanics, in-bed positioning, sitting the care recipient up, bed-to-chair transfer techniques, use of assistive devices, and modification of the home environment to protect low back and neck health. Each session lasts approximately 30-45 minutes.
  • Exercise training — OTHER
    • Description: Structured exercise programme delivered 3 sessions per week for 12 weeks (36 sessions in total) as face-to-face supervised practice or video-supported guidance with home exercise monitoring, under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The programme includes postural exercises, core stabilization, trunk and extremity strengthening, stretching, and breathing exercises. Each session lasts approximately 30-45 minutes. Perceived exertion is monitored with the Borg scale and sessions are modified or terminated if adverse symptoms occur.
  • Standard information brochure — OTHER
    • Description: A standard printed brochure covering general health recommendations, the importance of spinal health, and basic principles to observe during routine caregiving, given once after the baseline assessment. Participants are contacted by telephone once a month during the 12-week period to record any change in health status or any new surgery or acute illness; no exercise or ergonomic guidance is provided during these calls. After all assessments are completed, training materials and videos are offered to this group for ethical reasons.

Study Details

Family and formal caregivers of partially or fully dependent individuals repeatedly perform physically demanding tasks such as lifting, transferring, repositioning, and hygiene care. These tasks increase biomechanical loading and place caregivers at high risk of musculoskeletal complaints, which in turn increase perceived caregiver burden, burnout, and fatigue. Interventions for this population have most often been limited to information leaflets or theoretical instruction, and the active exercise component has usually been absent. Furthermore, teaching safe transfer techniques alone may be insufficient when caregivers lack the muscle strength, trunk (core) stability, and flexibility required to perform those techniques.

Key Dates

First listed
Aug 20, 2026
Start date
Aug 25, 2026
Status verified
Aug 2026
Primary completion
Nov 30, 2026
Completion
Jan 20, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
48 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Arms

  • Experimental: Ergonomic Training Only
    Structured theoretical and hands-on ergonomic training delivered once a month for 12 weeks (3 sessions), face-to-face and/or via synchronous/asynchronous video modules. Content: biomechanical body mechanics, in-bed positioning, sitting the care recipient up, bed-to-chair transfer techniques, use of assistive devices, and home environmental modification to protect low back and neck health. - Intervention type: Other - Intervention name: Ergonomic training
  • Experimental: Exercise Training Only
    Structured exercise programme delivered 3 sessions per week for 12 weeks as face-to-face practice or video-supported guidance with home exercise monitoring. Content: postural exercises, core stabilization, trunk and extremity strengthening, stretching, and breathing exercises. Each session lasts approximately 30-45 minutes. - Intervention type: Other - Intervention name: Exercise training
  • Experimental: Combined Ergonomic and Exercise Training
    The ergonomic training module (once a month) and the exercise protocol (3 sessions per week) delivered concurrently for 12 weeks, face-to-face and/or video-supported. - Intervention type: Other - Intervention name: Combined ergonomic and exercise training
  • Active Comparator: Control (Wait-List, Brochure)
    After baseline assessment, participants receive a standard printed information brochure covering general health recommendations, the importance of spinal health, and basic principles to observe during routine caregiving. No active exercise or face-to-face practical ergonomic training is provided. Participants are contacted once a month by telephone during the 12-week period to monitor changes in health status; no exercise or ergonomic guidance is given. After all assessments are completed, training materials and videos are offered to this group for ethical reasons. - Intervention type: Other - Intervention name: Standard information brochure (wait-list control)

Primary Outcome Measure

. Change in caregiver burden - Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) and at the end of the twelve-week exercise program (week 12) ]

Central Contacts

Related Studies