Efficacy of Telerehabilitation Intervention Program Using Telebiofeedback Among Computer Operators

NCT ID: NCT01178983

Last Updated: 2011-06-21

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: UNKNOWN
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 50 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2010-08-31
• Study Completion Date: 2011-10-31

Brief Summary

In the recent decades, with technology development, computer workstation has become fundamental both at work and at home environments, and is now used routinely for many purposes. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are most often characterized by backaches, neck and upper extremities pain, discomfort and pain in joints, muscles and soft tissues. Since it has been found that many musculoskeletal disorders are connected, among others, to biomechanical and psychosocial factors relating to a person's work environment, the literature refers to them as Work Related MSD (WRMSD). Risk factors correlated with WRMSD include repetitive motions, awkward positions or static muscle loading over prolonged periods of time, use of high keystroke force, direct mechanical pressure, vibration and extreme temperatures. Computer operators found to be sitting statically for a long time in front of the computer and keyboard, with limited options of changing body position. Psychosocial factors have also been implicated in the workstation musculoskeletal disorders with computer operators. Workers with WRMSD may suffer from persistent pain, loss of function and work disability. Therefore, it may include changes in the employment and earnings for injured workers. The complex nature of these injuries suggests that workplace rehabilitation interventions are a crucial aspect of treatment management.

The main objective of this study is to explore the use of biofeedback intervention, based on tele-rehabilitation principle, with computer operators suffer from WRMSD. Treatment efficacy will be tested by use of RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) method. Data analysis will be done by ANOVA Repeated Measures.

Hypothesis: Biofeedback intervention, based on tele-rehabilitation principle, will be found effective with computer operators suffer from WRMSD.

Conditions

Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NON_RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

telebiofeedback

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

surface electromyography

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Surface electromyography (SEMG) telebiofeedback

biofeedback

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

surface electromyography

Intervention Type: DEVICE

conventional biofeedback

Interventions

surface electromyography

Surface electromyography (SEMG) telebiofeedback

Intervention Type: DEVICE

surface electromyography

conventional biofeedback

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• computer operators who spend more than 4 hours a day working with computer
• computer operators who suffer from pain and inconvenience or injury in upper limbs, such as Lateral Epicondylitis, de Quervain disease, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome, Flexor-Extensor peritendinitis or teno-synovitis of the forearm-wrist region.

Exclusion Criteria

• subjects who suffer from neurological injuries
• subjects who suffer from orthopedic injuries or other metabolic or autoimmune diseases, that cause joint oedema or hand numbness (pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease and arthritis).

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 60 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Sheba Medical Center

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Sheba Medical Center

Principal Investigators

Merav Golombowicz, BOT

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Upper Limb Rehabilitation Center

Locations

Sheba Tel Hashomer hospital - upper limb rehabilitation center

Ramat Gan, Ramat Gan, Israel

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Israel

Central Contacts

Merav Golombowicz, BOT

Role: CONTACT

meravgo2@post.tau.ac.il

035303723

Facility Contacts

merav golombowicz

Role: primary

meravgo@post.tau.ac.il

035303723

Other Identifiers

SHEBA-10-7334-RP-CTIL

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id