Physical Fatigue, Compassion Fatigue, and Quiet Quitting in Physiotherapists

NCT ID: NCT07340866

Last Updated: 2026-01-14

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Total Enrollment

80 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-02-22

Study Completion Date

2026-05-12

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Physiotherapists are exposed to both physical and emotional demands due to the nature of their profession. Repetitive physical workload, prolonged standing, patient handling, and continuous interaction with patients may contribute to physical fatigue and compassion fatigue. These factors may negatively affect work engagement and lead to a phenomenon known as quiet quitting, which refers to reduced psychological involvement in work without formally leaving the job.

The aim of this study is to examine levels of physical fatigue and compassion fatigue among physiotherapists working in Türkiye and to investigate their association with quiet quitting tendencies. This observational, cross-sectional study will include physiotherapists actively working in public or private healthcare settings. Data will be collected using validated self-report questionnaires administered online and face-to-face.

Understanding the relationship between occupational fatigue and quiet quitting may help inform strategies to improve well-being, job satisfaction, and sustainability in the physiotherapy workforce.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Physiotherapists perform physically demanding tasks such as repetitive movements, patient transfers, and prolonged standing, while also managing emotional demands related to continuous patient care. These occupational stressors may lead to physical fatigue and compassion fatigue, which can negatively influence professional engagement and work sustainability. In recent years, the concept of quiet quitting has emerged to describe a reduction in psychological commitment to work while remaining formally employed. However, limited evidence exists regarding the relationship between occupational fatigue and quiet quitting among physiotherapists.

This study is designed as an observational, cross-sectional investigation aiming to evaluate physical fatigue, compassion fatigue, and quiet quitting tendencies among physiotherapists working in Türkiye. Eligible participants will be physiotherapists who have graduated from a Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation undergraduate program and are actively working in public or private healthcare institutions. Participation will be voluntary, and informed consent will be obtained electronically prior to data collection.

Data will be collected through face-to-face interviews and online platforms, including electronic survey tools and professional communication channels. Participants will complete a demographic and occupational information form followed by validated measurement instruments assessing compassion fatigue, physical fatigue, work-related musculoskeletal discomfort, and quiet quitting attitudes.

Statistical analyses will be conducted using appropriate descriptive and inferential methods. Relationships between variables will be examined using correlation analyses, and the predictive effects of physical fatigue and compassion fatigue on quiet quitting tendencies will be evaluated using multiple regression analysis. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to a better understanding of occupational well-being among physiotherapists and to provide evidence to support strategies aimed at improving working conditions and professional sustainability in rehabilitation services.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Quiet Quitting Fatigue, Compassion Work Engagement

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Observational Model Type

COHORT

Study Time Perspective

CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists actively working in public or private healthcare institutions in Türkiye who voluntarily participate in the study.

No Intervention (Observational Study)

Intervention Type OTHER

This is an observational study. No intervention is administered. Data are collected using self-report questionnaires.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

No Intervention (Observational Study)

This is an observational study. No intervention is administered. Data are collected using self-report questionnaires.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Graduated from a Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation undergraduate program
* Actively working as a physiotherapist in Türkiye
* Voluntary participation and provision of informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Refusal to participate in the study
* Working in a profession other than physiotherapy
* Incomplete or incorrectly completed questionnaires
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Mahmut Sürmeli

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, Faculty of Health Sciences

Tokat Province, Central, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Mahmut Sürmeli, PhD

Role: CONTACT

90 506 332 42 59

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Mahmut Sürmeli, PhD

Role: primary

+90 506 332 4259

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Devi T., P., Khanwelkar, C., Patil, A., Patil, S. S., Pawar, R., Suruve, D., & Mohana Sundari, S. K. (2019). Compassion Fatigue among Indian Physiotherapists: A descriptive cross sectional comparative study. Global Bioethics Enquiry Journal, 7(1), 17

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Pena-Curbelo V, Meneses-Monroy A, Mayor-Silva LI, Martin-Casas P, Alvarez-Melcon AC. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Physical Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Clin Med. 2024 Dec 5;13(23):7425. doi: 10.3390/jcm13237425.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 39685884 (View on PubMed)

Bruschini M, Carli A, Burla F. Burnout and work-related stress in Italian rehabilitation professionals: A comparison of physiotherapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists. Work. 2018;59(1):121-129. doi: 10.3233/WOR-172657.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29439375 (View on PubMed)

Tohumcu, K., & Tanrıverdi, D. (2023). The Predictive Effect of Anxiety and Burnout Levels Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Organizational Commitment on their Intention to Leave the Organization of the Healthcare Professionals. European Journal of Therapeutics, 29(2), 208-220

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Yıldız S, Özmenekşe YO. KAÇINILMAZ SON: SESSİZ İSTİFA. Al Farabi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi. 2024;7(4):14-24.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Hedge A, Morimoto S, McCrobie D. Effects of keyboard tray geometry on upper body posture and comfort. Ergonomics. 1999 Oct;42(10):1333-49. doi: 10.1080/001401399184983.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 10582503 (View on PubMed)

Adams RE, Boscarino JA, Figley CR. Compassion fatigue and psychological distress among social workers: a validation study. Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2006 Jan;76(1):103-8. doi: 10.1037/0002-9432.76.1.103.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16569133 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

GOP-FTR-01-2025

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.