NCT07150741

Exercise-Assisted Ergonomic Training for Pain, Sleep, and Anxiety in Nursing Students: RCT

The Effect of Exercise-Assisted Ergonomic Training on Pain, Sleep Quality, and Anxiety Levels in Nursing Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Kutahya Health Sciences University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 30 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of exercise-assisted ergonomic training on pain, sleep quality, and anxiety levels among nursing students. The study population consists of students enrolled in the Nursing Department of Kütahya Health Sciences University. Sixty participants will be recruited according to inclusion criteria and randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. The intervention group will receive a structured ergonomic training program combined with exercise sessions, including theoretical lectures and practical exercise videos delivered twice a week for four weeks. The control group will continue with their standard nursing curriculum without additional ergonomic or exercise support. Data will be collected using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and State Anxiety Inventory before and after the intervention. The study is expected to provide evidence on the effectiveness of ergonomic and exercise-based strategies in reducing pain, improving sleep quality, and lowering anxiety among nursing students, supporting the integration of such programs into nursing education.

Detailed description

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of exercise-assisted ergonomic training on pain, sleep quality, and anxiety levels among nursing students. Study Design: This is a randomized controlled experimental trial. Sixty nursing students who meet inclusion criteria and volunteer to participate will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (Group A) or control group (Group B), with 30 participants per group. Randomization will be performed using computer-assisted software (www.randomization.com ). Intervention: Theoretical Training: The intervention group will receive two theoretical training sessions covering ergonomics, posture analysis, body mechanics, ergonomic risks in nursing, and recommended exercises. Practical Exercise Sessions: Over four weeks, participants will complete eight exercise sessions (2 per week, 30-40 minutes each) via videos demonstrating warm-up, stretching, strengthening, balance, and posture exercises. The sessions will be supervised by an exercise expert to ensure safety and proper technique. The control group will continue with the standard nursing curriculum without additional ergonomic or exercise support. Data Collection: Data will be collected before and after the intervention using: Demographic Characteristics Form Numeric Pain Rating Scale Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index State Anxiety Inventory Blinding and Bias Prevention: Participants will be blinded to the group assignments. Data collection will be conducted by a second researcher unaware of the group allocations, and a third researcher will analyze the data while blinded to group identity. CONSORT guidelines will be followed in reporting the results. Expected Outcomes: The study is expected to provide evidence on the effectiveness of exercise-assisted ergonomic training in reducing pain, improving sleep quality, and lowering anxiety levels among nursing students, supporting the integration of ergonomic and exercise-based strategies in nursing education.

Conditions

• Pain
• Sleep
• Anxiety State

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Exercise-Assisted Ergonomic Training	The program includes structured ergonomic and exercise activities designed to improve posture, reduce musculoskeletal pain, enhance sleep quality, and decrease anxiety levels among nursing students. Theoretical lectures cover ergonomics principles, postural assessment, body mechanics, and ergonomic risks in nursing. Practical sessions are delivered via video twice a week for 4 weeks, each lasting 30-40 minutes, including warm-up, stretching, strengthening, balance, and posture exercises. The intervention is supervised by an exercise specialist to ensure safety and proper technique.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-09-15
• Primary completion: 2025-11-15
• Completion: 2025-12-30
• First posted: 2025-09-02
• Last updated: 2025-09-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)