NCT06488547

Stress and Musculoskeletal Health in Employees

Musculoskeletal Disorders and Stress Management, in Employees

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 57 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Thessaly · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 19 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study aims to evaluate potential correlation of stress as estimated by certain biological markers, namely saliva cortisol, Heart rate variability (HRV), Electromyography (EMG) with musculoskeletal system health status, and assess the impact of a stress management intervention..The intervention group will be trained to apply two evidence based stress management techniques and they will be guided with tips and advice about musculoskeletal health. Impact of the intervention upon measured stress related markers will be assessed.

Detailed description

The goal of this non-pharmacological randomized interventional study is to investigate work-related stress in relation to the musculoskeletal health of employees. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate if stress management interventions in employees can improve self-reported musculoskeletal health problems or Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS), in relation with biomarkers of stress. Secondary outcomes will include quality of life improvement and the number of absences from work, due to musculoskeletal conditions. The main question aims to answer if specific stress management techniques can improve the self-reported musculoskeletal health of employees. Researchers will compare the results between two groups (one participating in the the six (6) week program and the other not participating) to measure the effect size in the intervention group and between groups. Participants from both groups will be measured twice (on week 1 and week 8) with the same self-report questionnaires and stress biomarkers, if possible. Especially for the intervention group a six-week stress management program will be applied. This will include the participation in one and a half hour consultation meetings about stress, musculoskeletal health, psychosocial work-related factors, and how to improve well-being and work/life satisfaction.

Conditions

• Musculoskeletal Diseases or Conditions
• Musculoskeletal Pain
• Musculoskeletal Health
• Stress
• Work Related Stress
• Occupation-related Stress Disorder
• Medically Unexplained Symptoms

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Diaphragmatic breathing (DF)	Diaphragmatic breathing (DF), also known as belly or abdominal breathing, is a technique that can teach people how to use their diaphragm correctly while breathing, in order to activate the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system and to control stress.
OTHER	Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)	Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a technique that is helpful in the reduction of stress. PMR by alternately tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in the body helps participants to become more aware of physical sensations and can be particularly helpful to muscle tension and relaxation.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-06-01
• Primary completion: 2026-12-31
• Completion: 2026-12-31
• First posted: 2024-07-05
• Last updated: 2024-07-05

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Greece